Overarching Theme from Matthew 8 is Power and Authority
1. Jesus’ authority over nature (23-27)
2. Jesus’ authority over demons (28-34)
Disciples get into a boat (23-24)
Jesus gets into a boat and His disciples follow. There is no specification as to who the “disciples” are that followed Jesus onto the boat… but in 1986, a first-century boat was recovered from the mud along the shore of the Lake of Galilee. This boat was 8.2 by 2.35 meters wide. If this is indicative of normal fishing boats at that time… it would seem to suggest that the boat would be overcrowded with more than 13 people, but this we cannot be certain of. The Lake of Galilee is over 600 ft below sea-level and the hills surrounding it can be as high as 2000 ft. At 2000 ft, the air gets pretty cold… however directly around the sea, it is semi-tropical with warm moist air. This great change in height results in large temperature and pressure changes will lead to sudden violent storms when the different air masses meet.
Jesus was sleeping (24)
Jesus is asleep. What does that tell us? That Jesus was tired, which means Jesus needs rest, which means… Jesus was exerting energy, which means… Jesus is a man. He is actually man.
John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us”
Philippians 2:7 – “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Let’s not lightly pass over this fact… if Jesus did not become man, then He would not die. Everything else He could do as God… except for one thing, die. If He could not die, then there would be no sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Jesus had to become man to die for man… and this is clear evidence that He did. Not only is it clearly declared through Scripture in those verses I just read to you… it’s clearly demonstrated in the life He lived on earth. He was asleep! Thank You Jesus that You became man so that you could die on the cross for our sins.
Men of little faith (25)
The disciples were afraid. They woke Jesus and pleaded with Him to save them. They recognized they were helpless… and pleaded with the only One in their estimation who could save them. Their weak, little faith does not protect them in this storm. They have forgotten about God’s sovereign care over them. God always provides, yet in their moment of weakness… they react as if God has forgotten about them. They panic. They doubted.
James 1:6 – “the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
Are we like these disciples, like the immature described in Ephesians 4:14 who are “tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.” When something unexpected comes our way, when others try to convince us of something contrary to what Scripture says… are we shaken? Those with little faith are.
Little faith is better than no faith
However, at the same time… despite how small their faith was, their little faith was properly placed in the One who could save them. “Save us Lord; we are perishing!” They pleaded with Jesus, the only One who could save the perishing. Though immature, though in doubt, though little in faith… the disciples recognized their helplessness and turned to, trusted in, pleaded with the One who was able to save them. They turned to Jesus. Save Lord, we are perishing!
Little faith leads to fear (26)
Jesus quickly rebukes them. “Why are you afraid?” He says. What Jesus says here is similar to what He said in Matthew 6:30 to those who worried about their lives… what they would eat, drink, or wear. Why worry? God always provides. That’s what happens when your faith is small… little faith leads to consuming concern for this present life. However, greater faith seeks first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. That is spiritual maturity… it is eternal kingdom perspective… not temporary world perspective. That is what the people of God ought to strive for, growing in faith… concerning for God’s kingdom and His righteousness first… standing firm and trusting in God, rather than panicking and forgetting about God’s care.
Faith leads to salvation (27)
Yet, Jesus also quickly saves them. Little faith is completely different from no faith because with no faith, there is no hope… but little faith in a great Savior saves. However small the disciples’ faith… they put all of it in Jesus and by His power, they are saved. Let that be an encouragement to us who are weak… though our faith be small, our Savior is great and powerful to save.
