Knowing The Word in Luke 8:22-25

Jesus Calms a Storm

8:22 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?”

Comments

Wearied from a day full of teaching, Jesus displays his human nature in his need for sleep. The lake of Galilee is 700’ below sea level and set in a mountainous region. Cold air from the heights can quickly sweep downhill from the east and whip up the water. The disturbance was so great that the waves were filling the boat with water. The fearful disciples awakened Jesus to save them from perishing. That Jesus “rebuked” the wind may imply an evil force behind the wind, but the point of the story is that Jesus is master over nature. Jesus pointed out that the disciples should have trusted him. Their reply was “who is this?”

Application

Who do you think Jesus is and how are you doing trusting him? Spend a moment reflecting on the fact that Jesus is both human and divine. It is a hard concept to fathom; however, this passage makes it rather clear.

Prayer

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, p. 213)