Jesus Calms the Storm

There are actually two storms recorded in scripture which Jesus calmed. Yet, there is only one of these storms Jesus rebuked, and only one was involved with Jesus’ walking on the water.

One of the miracles of Jesus calming a storm is found in three of the gospels: Matthew chapter 8, verses 23-27; Mark chapter 4, verses 35-41; and Luke chapter 8, verses 22-25.

This is on the heels of Jesus’ sermon on the mount, which likely lasted for days—about a week. He did not have to physically feed people at this time because there were towns on the northwestern portion of the Sea of Galilee near Mount Eremos. Capernaum was less than 2 miles away. And Gennesaret was about the same distance in the opposite direction.

When Jesus got into the boat, he went to sleep almost immediately. He was likely exhausted, and his body needed rest. The storm did not even wake him. The disciple, on the other hand, were quite concerned for their lives and woke Jesus. It is odd that they woke him but then acted surprised when he calmed the storm. After all, what were they expecting him to do if not calm the storm?

We need to ask, “Who was Christ speaking to when he said, ‘Quiet! Be still!’” The word for “quiet” here means “silence” or “hush.” The word for “be still” here means “to muzzle.” This would imply this storm was caused by Satan and Jesus was rebuking him and his actions. Satan had to immediately comply because he cannot go against a direct command.

There is another instance recorded in Scripture about an instance when Jesus walks on water and calms a storm. This instance is found in three gospels: Matthew chapter 14, verses 22-33; Mark chapter 6, verses 45-52; and John chapter 6, verses 16-24.

This incidence came on the heels of Jesus feeding the 5,000 men as well as women and children by multiplying five small loaves of bread and two fish into enough food to feed such a crowd and then even have leftovers! After this event, Jesus went to be alone and pray as the disciples left in a boat to head back to the western side of the Sea of Galilee.

When the storm came up, the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and at first thought he was a spirit, but Jesus assured them who he was. Peter asked to come to him. Jesus agreed. Peter started walking on the water as well, but he got distracted and began to sink. Jesus helped him up and they both got into the boat and the storm immediately calmed.

This time, there was no rebuking of the storm. The storm calmed the moment Jesus stepped into the boat. Perhaps, as we just stated, the first storm was from Satan trying to cast doubt on their faith whereas this storm was an opportunity for them to exercise their faith.

Is there a reason for only Matthew to include Peter walking on the water? Matthew was an eyewitness of the event. Mark got his information from Peter who likely did not want to detract from the miracle of Jesus walking on the water. John was selective in the miracles he presented in showing Jesus as divine.

It seems the feeding of the 5,000 put all the people into a frenzy. Everyone started going all around the lake trying to find Jesus for more food or for healing. It seems Jesus’ teachings were not the main reason people followed him.

What about us? Are we searching for Jesus for what we want him to do for us? Or are we willing to be content and praise him for who he is? Perhaps we, like Jesus’ disciples, all need some self-reflection.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens