Daily Devotions
Matthew
A Journey by Boat
Text: Matthew 8 : 23 - 27
The instructions of Jesus were carried out. The disciples got a boat ready for Jesus to use. Capernaum was not very far from the Sea of Galilee. Matthew quietly made a note of this. We also catch a glimpse of one of the means of transportation used in those days!
“Now when He got into a boat, His
disciples followed Him.”
Matthew 8:23
All went well for a while. However, suddenly a storm broke out. Things had taken a drastic change. They were in peril now. Some of the disciples had been fishermen before. They had weathered storms before. This particular storm seems so dangerous fear crept into their heart.
“And suddenly a great tempest rose on the sea,
so that the boat was covered with the waves.
But He was asleep.”
Matthew 8:24
The contrasts painted could not be more obvious. Let us note the things that Matthew sought to contrast.
1. The sudden and unexpected storm
The beginning of the journey was smooth and gentle enough. The fierce tempest was thus frightening. It seemed too sudden and life-threatening.
2. Jesus resting in the boat
Imagine the stark contrast picture in the text. A storm raged outside. Jesus sleeping in the boat. We can well understand why He was sleeping. His ministry to the multitudes exhausted Him physically.
A SURPRISE TEST
The disciples were surprised that Jesus could sleep through a storm! After trying their utmost to deal with the storm, and finding that they were not on top of the situation, they roused Jesus from His sleep.
“Then His disciples came to Him and awoke,
Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing.'”
Matthew 8:25
How fearful the disciples were. How peacefully Jesus must have slept. He had to be woken from His rest! What drove them to ask Jesus for help?
1. Instinct rather than faith
Who else could they turn to? Instinctively they turned to Jesus. Would He be able to help them? They had seen Jesus healing people, but would He be able to help them when they were caught in this tempest that threatened their very lives.
2. “Lord, save us! We are perishing.”
This plaintive cry uttered, Jesus opened His eyes. He could not but detect the fear behind those words.
The tempest was a surprise test for the disciples. They had not done too well on this particular test.
THE QUESTION OF PERSONAL FAITH
Jesus woke up and immediately became the master of the vessel. First, He addressed His disciples and then the storm!
“But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful,
O You of little faith?’ Then He arose and
rebuked the winds and the sea, and there
was a great calm.”
Matthew 8:26
“O You of little faith”
How had the disciples fared in the development of their faith? In contrast to the centurion’s faith, the disciples did not fare well at all. Jesus commended the Roman centurion for his faith. On the other hand, He had to rebuke His disciples for their lack of it! How do we understand this rebuke!
1. Faith and knowledge
The disciples had received much instruction from Jesus. That knowledge was supposed to have deepened their faith significantly. Yet somehow, knowledge and faith did not go together.
2. Faith and ministry
The disciples had seen Jesus in action. They had seen many healed from many distressful diseases. Jesus exuded such power that all who came to Him were instantaneously healed! Their faith should have grown by leaps and bounds as they witnessed all these things!
3. Faith and relationship with Jesus
Their faith should have increased mightily. They were called His Disciples. They followed Him everywhere! They shared meals with Him! They were able to relate to Him as others could not! Yet, their faith had not grown!
The words of rebuke were appropriate! More attention should have been paid to the growth and development of their faith! Jesus was right. They had little faith!
Jesus addressed the storm next! His words of rebuke of the storm brought about an immediate state of calmness! The disciples had worried in vain!