22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
Section Overview
In the previous verses (8:4–21) Jesus has revealed truth to his disciples and called for obedience. The next major section of the Gospel (8:22–9:50) zeroes in on Jesus’ identity (who he is) and his destiny (what he has come to do). From 8:22 to 9:20 the focus is on his identity, as the person of Jesus is unveiled through the stilling of the storm, the expelling of Legion, the healing of the sick, and the raising of the dead (8:22–56). In the first account Jesus rebukes and quiets a storm (vv. 22–25). Jesus embarks on the Sea of Galilee with his disciples and tells them to make for the other side of the lake. As they sail, he falls asleep and a sudden storm sweeps down onto the lake. The disciples are in danger of drowning. They awaken Jesus with desperate fear, crying out that they are in danger of drowning. Jesus rebukes the winds and the waves, and the sea is calm again. The disciples are queried about their lack of faith. They respond to the quieting of the storm with fear and awe and ask the central question of the story: Who is this? Who is able to command the winds and the waters so that they submit to his authority?
Section Outline
Response
Life is full of frightening things. I remember when I was eight years old, in 1962, a Columbus Day storm swept into Oregon. Windstorms in Oregon are highly unusual, and I could see my parents were very worried as 80–100 mph (130–160 km/h) winds pounded the land. I saw trees falling and things swirling through the air, and I wondered if we were going to die. The ferocity of the storm was both frightening and fascinating. In such situations we naturally begin to be afraid. We acknowledge that we are weak and helpless. Like the disciples, we cry out to the Lord to save us and ask the Lord to help us to believe and to trust in the midst of our fears. Jesus’ word to his disciples in the midst of the storm is “Where is your faith?” And our faith is in the one who controls the winds and the waves. We affirm the words of Psalm 46:1–3: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”