558. MAT 8:23-27. CHRIST’S POWER OVER THE WINDS AND THE SEA
Mat_8:23-27. Christ’s Power Over the Winds and the Sea
"And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep," &c.’97Mat_8:23-27.
The way of duty is often the way of trouble and temporal peril. The most devout and ardent affection for Christ, does not exempt from sorrow or tribulation. Hence we often see the most eminent saints passing through floods and storms on their way to the kingdom. Our present subject is introduced by the statement that Christ entered into a ship, and his disciples followed him. It was their duty to follow where he guided’97it was surely their safety to be where his presence was afforded. Yet though in the evident path of duty, they were exposed to great apparent danger, from which they were only rescued by the wonder-working arm of the Redeemer. Our attention is directed,
I. To the fearful tempest. "And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves," Mat_8:24. Nothing is more awfully sublime than a storm at sea. When the waves roll mountains high. When the winds howl, and when the largest ships are tossed as insignificant fragments on the mighty waters. The psalmist has given a very vivid description of such a scene with its attendant perils: Psa_107:25, Psa_107:31. On this occasion the vessel was covered with the foaming waves, and destruction seemed at hand. Amidst this scene of grandeur and terror we are directed,
II. To the slumbering Saviour. Jesus "was asleep," Mar_8:24. Wearied and exhausted with the toils of the day, his human nature required the restoring influences of balmy sleep. He had no sin, and no fear. Besides, he had all dominion over heaven, earth, and hell. What a mighty blessing is sleep to the tired and toil-worn frame! Happy those who sleep under the sweet assurance of God’s favor, and who can say in the pious language of the psalmist, "I laid me down and slept: I awaked: for the Lord sustained me." Notice,
III. The anxious and alarmed disciples. Their danger appeared imminent, and therefore we are not surprised at the manifestation of their fears. Yet there were many circumstances which might have consider ably allayed them. They had this especially to cheer them,’97that their Lord and Master was with them. Could they imagine that he could perish? And yet he was in the same vessel, and exposed to the same danger And if he perished not, then their safety was surely guaranteed. But for the moment sense prevailed over faith, and fears overwhelmed them. Ever since sin entered into the world, man has been the victim of fear. Guilt and alarm are wedded to one another. With perfect purity there would be no dread. Had the faith of the disciples been in vigorous exercise, it would have surmounted the highest wave, and have outridden the most terrible storm. Observe,
IV. Their earnest prayer. They came to the Saviour and awoke him, "saying, Lord, save us, we perish!" Mar_8:25. Their prayer indicated great alarm and great anxiety: also, utter self-disgust, and confidence in the power of Christ to deliver them.
(1.) Their alarm was culpable, though natural. Faith would have overcome the timidity of nature.
(2.) Their anxiety was human, though in its intensity unnecessary. To desire to be delivered from danger is in harmony with the law of our being. But under Christ’s care and pilotage, we may venture to trust all to him.
(3.) Their utter distrust of themselves was both rational and pious. What could they do amidst the fury of the blast? How impotent is man, with all his skill and power, and vauntings, when the elements war with him!
(4.) Their confidence in Christ was praiseworthy, and worthy of our imitation. He can deliver,’97he will deliver,’97he delights to deliver,’97he has engaged to deliver. To him we may confidently and hopefully appeal. And on this occasion the Redeemer awoke, and first he chides their unbelieving fears’97"Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" Mar_8:26. Then, with all the grandeur of his divinity, "He arose," looked upon the angry raging billows. He spake with his omnific voice, rebuking the turbulent elements, and there was a great calm. What a scene for devout, adoring contemplation! The ease with which the majestic Jesus did this wondrous deed. The instant effects:’97immediately, without delay, the elements heard and obeyed their God. And the calm was great, entire; not only were the winds hushed, and the waves quieted, but the lake became placid and tranquil at once, and the rolling vessel rested in peaceful security and quietness on its placid bosom. Well might they exclaim with marvellous zeal, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" Mar_8:27. We have a similar miracle of grace wrought when the Saviour,
1. Calms the troubled conscience of the anxious sinner. When the Lord has wrought conviction of sin in the soul. When a sense of guilt raises the billows of the Divine wrath before the eyes of the penitent. When with deep alarm spreading through the soul, the exclamation is heard,’97"Lord, save, or I perish!" Then Jesus, in the majesty of his grace, speaks to the soul and says, Thy sins are forgiven thee, and instantly within the bosom of the believing penitent there is a great calm. When he,
2. Delivers the believing soul in the day of fear and trouble. Often the saint of the Lord is tossed on seas of sorrow,’97surrounded by tempests of trouble. Job was called to pass through a series of these. So David, and so most of the Lord’s people. Times of bitter persecution are such. Times of severe bodily affliction are such. Times of great spiritual conflict and temptation. Then when the soul goes in confidence to the Lord, and exercises faith and hope in his delivering mercy, he rebukes the wind and the waves, and there is a great calm.
3. There will be the fearful tempest of the Divine wrath at the last day. With the great scene of the conflagration of the world. When the hills and mountains shall be moved out of their places,’97when the sun shall become as sackcloth,’97the moon as blood, and the stars appear to fall,’97when one fierce flame shall envelop the globe, with all that it contains, then the Christian, relying on Jesus, interested in his death, and leaning on his mighty arm, shall be safe, and be effectually delivered from the destruction in which all the ungodly shall be eternally involved. Learn,
1. The majesty and power of Jesus.
2. The importance of a vigorous faith.
3. The certainty of deliverance to all who trust in his name. Let our prayer be,
"Thou that didst rule the angry hour,
And tame the tempest’s mood,
O send thy Spirit forth in power,
O’er our dark souls to brood.
Thou that didst bow the billow’s pride,
Thy mandates to fulfil;’97
Speak, speak to passion’s raging tide,
Speak, and say’97’Peace; be still.’"
Autor: JABEZ BURNS