WITH JESUS THROUGH THE STORM

MATTHEW 8:2

A. AFTER THE STRENUOUS DAY OF PUBLIC TEACHING, AND AFTER THE INQUIRY MEETING THAT WAS ALMOST CERTAIN TO FOLLOW HIS PUBLIC ADDRESSES, JESUS, IN COMPANY WITH HIS DISCIPLES, STARTS ACROSS THE SEA:
  1. It was a training school for the disciples:
    1. The ministry of the Son of God on earth served a dual purpose.
    2. To proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, and to train missionaries for service.
  2. This boat ride served purposes:
B. LET US NOTE THE IMPLICATIONS OF OUR TEXT
  1. The weary sleeper:
    1. Reveals his perfect humanity - Heb. 2:14-16; John 1:14
    2. He had hunger pains - Mark 11:12; Matt. 4:1, 2; Luke 4:2; Matt. 21:11
    3. His body was weary and tired, and sleep was normal for him.
  2. The unexpected storm:
    1. Why it was permitted to come.
    2. For the benefit of the trainees.
  3. The disciples needed that lesson very badly:
    1. Their faith in the Saviour was, as yet, rather weak.
    2. They leaned too much upon the things visible to their eyes.
    3. They were possessed of a misplaced faith.
    4. They limited the Holy One in Israel to outward circumstances - Ps. 78:41
    5. They were frightened by the storm and were impatient with the Lord.
    6. They were plainly distrustful.
    7. They were shortsighted. They had forgotten past manifestations of the power of God.
    8. They overlooked that the Lord was sharing the same apparent dangers.
    9. They were in need of the lesson, as we all are, because we all are shortsighted.
C. OUTCOME OF THEIR EXPERIENCE
  1. The Master intervened:
    1. He commanded the storm to cease.
    2. It obeyed him instantly.
  2. The disciples are startled:
    1. Who is He, that the raging sea should obey Him - Matt. 8:27
    2. This statement by the disciples reveals the imperfection of their faith in the divinity of the Son of God.
    3. It also shows how short their memories were!
    4. Had He not manifested His divine power on a number of occasions!
    5. How could they forget what He did at Cana? - John 2:7-11
    6. How could they forget what He did with five little loaves and two fishes? John 6:1-13
  3. There is a lesson for God's people today -- with Jesus through the storm:
    1. Why does the Lord allow the trials and perplexities of life to overtake His people?
    2. They need the training! Heb. 12:6-11
    3. It will teach us to trust the Lord at all times and under all circumstances - Job 13:15
    4. Trials and temptations are not to destroy us but to strengthen our faith in God and His promises - 1 Pet. 1:7
    5. Let us never forget the trials of our brethren in past ages - Heb. 11:36
  4. What is most important for God's pilgrims on the stormy seas:
    1. The presence of the Lord!
    2. What affects us will affect Him too.
    3. He is able to calm the stormy sea at will.
    4. Let us trust him!


Design © John Bryant 2011