And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
The verse describes a sudden violent storm after sunset on the Sea of Galilee, with wind driving angry waves that broke into the ship until it was filling and full and beginning to sink, while the boats following were seized by the same peril. Though the disciples were strong, skilled fishermen who had weathered many storms, their strength and skill were useless and they despaired of saving themselves from drowning. Busy struggling to save themselves, they forgot Jesus was on board asleep wearied from labor until courage failed and all hope was leaving them. Jesus stilled the tempest by his command and hand, showing he controls the wind and the troubled sea and rescues from destruction. Their fear and lonely struggle show unbelief and self-confidence, for with Jesus present they should have called on him at the first sign of danger, and remembering him never cries in vain whether on land or sea, sleeping or waking.
The Night Crossing
The crossing that brought the great storm of wind was to the desert side of the sea for rest after dismissing the multitude, with other little boats following to hear more, while Jesus lay asleep on the hard plank wearied from labor. The day had been calm and pleasant, but the change came suddenly after sunset into dark clouds and black night with a furious, fierce and violent tempest of the kind that often strikes the Sea of Galilee. Angry waves dashed against the ship and broke into it and beat until it was filling and now full.
The ship was tossed from the crest of mountain billows to the trough of the sea as the plaything of the storm, with spray dashing over it and strong wind blowing. It sprang a leak and fast filled with water, with the deck flooding as one wave after another was hurled over faster and faster, wave upon wave, until it began to sink amid hurry and confusion and roaring waves. The boats accompanying them were seized by the same peril and driven close together, so that all beheld what followed.
Though the disciples were strong, skilled fishermen experienced with the sea who had safely guided their craft through many storms before, they knew not what to do. Their strength and skill were useless against this tempest, and even their experienced seamanship could not overcome the storm or control the vessel. The boat became unmanageable, so they had to let it drive straight before the wind and sea while keeping hold of the helm. The fury increased until they despaired of saving themselves from drowning and feared they would perish and sink.
They had been so busy trying to save themselves and keep the ship afloat that they forgot Jesus was on board. They struggled on until courage failed and all hope was leaving them. Then they remembered that he had commanded the crossing and had saved them in a like peril before, and they saw him sleeping undisturbed amid the storm as their only hope.
Christ's Power Revealed
Jesus was with the disciples on the sea in their immediate danger, and He saved His followers by commanding the storm to cease. He stilled the tempest by His command and word, by speaking peace to the troubled sea, and by beckoning the waves to rest with His hand and by the lifting of His finger. In this He showed that He could control the elements and the forces that threatened them, with authority over the wind and the storm. He rescued them when they feared destruction, quieted the storm with the command, Peace, be still, an act also described as walking on the waves and commanding quiet. That treading of the foaming, white-capped billows was just as certainly fulfilling His mission as the Pattern Man as toiling as a carpenter while hiding His divine mission, as raising the dead to life, and as dying as man's sacrifice to lift the whole race to a new and perfect life.
The calming of the wind and sea was afterward remembered as evidence of divine power and as reason to trust that He was the Son of God. The storm was the perilous night before the boat reached the shore at Gadara. His power over the storm is recalled when He faces the demons without fear, for the One who stilled the tempest had met Satan and conquered him. That same victorious power explains His calm before the demons, when He stood where the disciples left Him and with uplifted hand held the raging demoniacs back so they could come no nearer.
Those who crossed with Him later told the Gadarenes about that great peril on the lake the night before and about the miracle of stilling the tempest. The storm and its stilling prove that He can control the very elements and command nature, cast out demons, and heal disease. Yet the Gadarenes, blinded by worldliness and fearing further loss of property, refused to consider the advantage of having such a One among them.
The boat buffeting the high running waves, tossed up and down with spray dashing over it in strong wind, reveals the majesty of God and His works on the ocean. He holds the winds in His hand and controls the waters, and at one glance beholds the highest heavens and the midst of the sea. Finite beings are mere specks upon the broad deep waters in His sight, yet angels are sent from His excellent glory to guard the little boat careening over the waves. His wonderful works are far above human comprehension and fill the heart with awe.
Trusting Jesus in Trials
The waves beating in until the boat was filling found the disciples in real and immediate danger with Jesus Himself aboard, yet their fear and their frantic efforts to save themselves showed unbelief, fear and self-confidence. They tried to save themselves and forgot He was with them, when they should have called upon Him as soon as danger appeared, at the first sign of peril, instead of struggling alone. The scene is the pattern of those facing trials and life's troubles who struggle alone and rely on their own strength until they remember Jesus and ask for help. He reproves that fear, unbelief and self-confidence, yet He hears the earnest cry, gives the needed help to trusting followers, saves them, and will not forsake those who rely on Him.
The rising tempest, flashing lightning and waves sweeping over the ship were wrought for present believers as well as for the disciples, meaning temptations gathering over them. To battle that storm alone is to trust in one's own strength and forget the One who can help, until hope is lost and perishing is near. Remembering Jesus and calling upon Him to save never cries in vain, whether on land or on sea and whether He is sleeping or waking. Having the Saviour in the heart leaves no need for fear, for the call of faith will always meet with response. Believers are rebuked, even sorrowfully, for not seeking Him at the very beginning of trial and for wearying themselves in efforts to save themselves, yet their humble petitions are still accepted, and living faith in the Redeemer smooths the sea of life and delivers from danger in the way He knows to be best.
The overwhelmed boat with waves filling it also applies to crises in the Lord's work, when circumstances make the work seem to pitch and toss. The Master remains on board through such tossing. Workers are therefore to strengthen faith, look to Jesus with their difficulties, and press forward cheerfully with hope and courage.
The verse describes a sudden violent storm after sunset on the Sea of Galilee, with wind driving angry waves that broke into the ship until it was filling and full and beginning to sink, while the boats following were seized by the same peril. Though the disciples were strong, skilled fishermen who had weathered many storms, their strength and skill were useless and they despaired of saving themselves from drowning. Busy struggling to save themselves, they forgot Jesus was on board asleep wearied from labor until courage failed and all hope was leaving them. Jesus stilled the tempest by his command and hand, showing he controls the wind and the troubled sea and rescues from destruction. Their fear and lonely struggle show unbelief and self-confidence, for with Jesus present they should have called on him at the first sign of danger, and remembering him never cries in vain whether on land or sea, sleeping or waking.
The Night Crossing
The crossing that brought the great storm of wind was to the desert side of the sea for rest after dismissing the multitude, with other little boats following to hear more, while Jesus lay asleep on the hard plank wearied from labor. The day had been calm and pleasant, but the change came suddenly after sunset into dark clouds and black night with a furious, fierce and violent tempest of the kind that often strikes the Sea of Galilee. Angry waves dashed against the ship and broke into it and beat until it was filling and now full.
The ship was tossed from the crest of mountain billows to the trough of the sea as the plaything of the storm, with spray dashing over it and strong wind blowing. It sprang a leak and fast filled with water, with the deck flooding as one wave after another was hurled over faster and faster, wave upon wave, until it began to sink amid hurry and confusion and roaring waves. The boats accompanying them were seized by the same peril and driven close together, so that all beheld what followed.
Though the disciples were strong, skilled fishermen experienced with the sea who had safely guided their craft through many storms before, they knew not what to do. Their strength and skill were useless against this tempest, and even their experienced seamanship could not overcome the storm or control the vessel. The boat became unmanageable, so they had to let it drive straight before the wind and sea while keeping hold of the helm. The fury increased until they despaired of saving themselves from drowning and feared they would perish and sink.
They had been so busy trying to save themselves and keep the ship afloat that they forgot Jesus was on board. They struggled on until courage failed and all hope was leaving them. Then they remembered that he had commanded the crossing and had saved them in a like peril before, and they saw him sleeping undisturbed amid the storm as their only hope.
Christ's Power Revealed
Jesus was with the disciples on the sea in their immediate danger, and He saved His followers by commanding the storm to cease. He stilled the tempest by His command and word, by speaking peace to the troubled sea, and by beckoning the waves to rest with His hand and by the lifting of His finger. In this He showed that He could control the elements and the forces that threatened them, with authority over the wind and the storm. He rescued them when they feared destruction, quieted the storm with the command, Peace, be still, an act also described as walking on the waves and commanding quiet. That treading of the foaming, white-capped billows was just as certainly fulfilling His mission as the Pattern Man as toiling as a carpenter while hiding His divine mission, as raising the dead to life, and as dying as man's sacrifice to lift the whole race to a new and perfect life.
The calming of the wind and sea was afterward remembered as evidence of divine power and as reason to trust that He was the Son of God. The storm was the perilous night before the boat reached the shore at Gadara. His power over the storm is recalled when He faces the demons without fear, for the One who stilled the tempest had met Satan and conquered him. That same victorious power explains His calm before the demons, when He stood where the disciples left Him and with uplifted hand held the raging demoniacs back so they could come no nearer.
Those who crossed with Him later told the Gadarenes about that great peril on the lake the night before and about the miracle of stilling the tempest. The storm and its stilling prove that He can control the very elements and command nature, cast out demons, and heal disease. Yet the Gadarenes, blinded by worldliness and fearing further loss of property, refused to consider the advantage of having such a One among them.
The boat buffeting the high running waves, tossed up and down with spray dashing over it in strong wind, reveals the majesty of God and His works on the ocean. He holds the winds in His hand and controls the waters, and at one glance beholds the highest heavens and the midst of the sea. Finite beings are mere specks upon the broad deep waters in His sight, yet angels are sent from His excellent glory to guard the little boat careening over the waves. His wonderful works are far above human comprehension and fill the heart with awe.
Trusting Jesus in Trials
The waves beating in until the boat was filling found the disciples in real and immediate danger with Jesus Himself aboard, yet their fear and their frantic efforts to save themselves showed unbelief, fear and self-confidence. They tried to save themselves and forgot He was with them, when they should have called upon Him as soon as danger appeared, at the first sign of peril, instead of struggling alone. The scene is the pattern of those facing trials and life's troubles who struggle alone and rely on their own strength until they remember Jesus and ask for help. He reproves that fear, unbelief and self-confidence, yet He hears the earnest cry, gives the needed help to trusting followers, saves them, and will not forsake those who rely on Him.
The rising tempest, flashing lightning and waves sweeping over the ship were wrought for present believers as well as for the disciples, meaning temptations gathering over them. To battle that storm alone is to trust in one's own strength and forget the One who can help, until hope is lost and perishing is near. Remembering Jesus and calling upon Him to save never cries in vain, whether on land or on sea and whether He is sleeping or waking. Having the Saviour in the heart leaves no need for fear, for the call of faith will always meet with response. Believers are rebuked, even sorrowfully, for not seeking Him at the very beginning of trial and for wearying themselves in efforts to save themselves, yet their humble petitions are still accepted, and living faith in the Redeemer smooths the sea of life and delivers from danger in the way He knows to be best.
The overwhelmed boat with waves filling it also applies to crises in the Lord's work, when circumstances make the work seem to pitch and toss. The Master remains on board through such tossing. Workers are therefore to strengthen faith, look to Jesus with their difficulties, and press forward cheerfully with hope and courage.