Luke 8:22-25 - Calming the storm

8:22,23

Jesus’ original command to go over to the other side of the lake was innocuous enough, but was going to lead to apparent great danger and one of the greatest displays of Jesus’ power. As they sailed across Jesus fell asleep, then a great storm grew up. Now we must remember that several of the disciples were fishermen, so were used to bad weather and normal storms. So the fact that this storm caused them such great consternation must mean it was an exceptionally bad storm. Lake Galilee is situated some 700 feet below sea level and was surrounded by mountains, so it was subject to storms.

8:24,25

The disciples in desperation went to Jesus. Mark has a slightly longer account (Mark 4:36-41), recording that the disciples asked Jesus if He didn’t care about them, and that Jesus commanded the storm “Be still”. Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves and all became calm. Then Jesus rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith. There are several things to ponder.

First the disciples went to Jesus. It was largely in desperation, but they went to Him nevertheless, having some belief that He could do something about the situation.

Secondly, Jesus was sleeping. Did He know a storm was going to blow up? Was the storm actually going to drown them, or did it just look that bad?

Thirdly, the storm obeyed Jesus. The disciples were absolutely amazed at this. In the Old Testament one of the attributes of God is His authority over all things, including all of nature.

Fourthly, how was the disciples faith meant to operate? Were they just meant to trust that they would get through the storm, or were they meant to command the waves themselves, or at least to pray to the Father themselves? We do see this incident as demonstration of the divinity of Jesus, but Jesus’ words “where is your faith” would tend to indicate that the disciples could have done something. Perhaps the key question is “could Jesus calm the storm because He was God (which He is), or because He was a man who lived in complete trust, obedience and love towards the Father?”