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Miracles and Signs III
Matthew 8:23—27
Christ calms the storm (verses 23—27)
According to Mark (4:39) it was at evening when Christ told them to get into the boat and go to the other side of the sea (Sea of Galilee). After they sent the crowds away the Disciples followed Jesus into the ship. There were other smaller ships with them. It was probably getting quite dark by this time. Since it was a long day, Jesus went to the back of the ship and fell asleep on a pillow.
As Jesus was sleeping a great storm of wind came upon them and the waves began filling the boat with water to the point of swamping it. The Disciples were terrified and ran back to Jesus pleading with Him to save them. Jesus chided them for not having faith, got up, rebuked the wind and told the sea to be still. The Disciples stood in awe with reverent fear of this Man who could command the weather.
This story not only shows Christ proving to the Disciples who He is but also paints a picture of the Little Flock going through the Tribulation. The darkness, the storm, crying out to Christ and the safe arrival are all pointing to the safe transport of believers through the darkest time ever to be known in human history, just like the man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:25). This storm appears to be produced by Satan. These men who grew up on the Sea of Galilee were terrified of this storm even though they most likely have experienced many storms in their fishing careers. Also, Jesus rebukes the storm. Rebuking is always directed toward a being and not an inanimate object. The one exception to this is when Jesus rebukes Peter’s mother-in-law’s fever. I believe this fever was also satanically induced. These details highlight Satan’s power but even more importantly we see his power is no match for God’s immeasurable power. The Psalmist speaks of God’s ability to rescue Israel from calamity.
Psalm 107:6, 13, 19 6 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. 13 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.19 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
Psalm 107:23—30 23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. 25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end. 28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Those going through the Tribulation will be seeking the face of God but He will seem to be absent. God turned away from Israel because they sought after other gods. However, those who earnestly seek God and cry out to Him will be saved and brought safely through the Tribulation. This is how Daniel sought the Lord to get His attention at the end of the 70-year Babylonian captivity and this is how Jesus taught his many disciples in the Sermon on the Mount. Those who seek will be rewarded.
Deuteronomy 31:16—18 18 And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.
Hosea 5:15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
Daniel 1:3—5 3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 7:7—8 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
