Faith in the Storm: A Reflection on Matthew 8:23-27

In 2008, Hurricane Ike hit Houston with full force. Just a month before, I had broken both my arms in a basketball game, leaving me almost helpless. When the news broke that the hurricane was heading straight for Galveston, my friends and I, who were on a retreat in Colorado, hurried back home. Memories of evacuating during Hurricane Rita, stuck driving 25 mph up I-45 all night, convinced us to ride this one out. We set up a makeshift bed for our girls in our bedroom closet and braced ourselves for the storm.

That night was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I watched through the window as trees bent under the powerful winds, and lightning illuminated the sky amidst the relentless downpour. Our power lasted until about 4 a.m. After that, I lay in bed, the wind howling and the rain pounding against the house, praying quietly and fearfully, “Jesus, please protect us.”

Two years later, in December 2010, I found myself in another storm, this time of my own making. My marriage, career, and reputation were in shambles. Lying in that same bed, my prayers were frantic, “Jesus, please save me.”

Last week, we looked at Matthew 8:18-22, where Jesus had just healed a leper, a centurion’s servant, and Peter’s mother-in-law. As He and His disciples were about to cross the Sea of Galilee, they encountered two men who wanted to follow Him. Jesus told them that following Him would mean a life of discomfort and required immediate commitment.

Today, we dive into a famous passage, Matthew 8:23-27, where Jesus calms the storm. This narrative, recorded in three of the four Gospels, provides both a literal and metaphorical lesson for us. Literally, it shows Jesus' authority over nature, calming the storm with a word. Metaphorically, it illustrates that Jesus can bring peace to the most turbulent situations in our lives.

The Passage

As we begin with verse 23, "Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him," Matthew emphasizes a contrast. Earlier, two individuals found the cost of following Jesus too high, but these disciples left everything to follow Him. This sets up two paradigms: one where comfort and convenience are prerequisites for following Jesus, and another where complete abandonment to Him brings peace and power from God.

Edwin Friedman, in his book "The Failure of Nerve," suggests that repeating the same mistakes stems from seeking new answers to old questions. Instead, we should ask new questions or embrace a new paradigm.

Verse 24 describes the storm on the Sea of Galilee. This body of water, over 600 feet below sea level and surrounded by mountains, often experiences sudden, violent storms when cool mountain air meets warm sea air. The disciples, experienced fishermen, were used to storms but found themselves in a panic as waves overwhelmed their boat. And where was Jesus? Asleep.

Jesus often seems to be asleep on the things we find important while we overlook what He values. In our storms, whether health scares, marital issues, or spiritual struggles, we might feel Jesus is absent.

Imagine being a stockbroker during a market crash or a firefighter whose house burns down. The disciples, in their element, found their expertise insufficient to save them from the storm.

The Cry for Help

In verse 25, the disciples cry out, "Lord, save us! We are going to drown!" This mirrors the desperate pleas of the leper and the centurion earlier in the chapter. It's a cry of recognizing their own inability and Jesus' unique ability to intervene.

Jesus first rebukes the disciples in verse 26, questioning their faith and fear. His presence in the boat should have assured them. Even a sleeping Jesus is better than any alternative we can devise. His sleep during the storm symbolizes peace, as He isn't afraid of any storm. The real question is why Jesus doesn't always calm the storm in our lives. While we may not understand why He intervenes in some situations and not others, we know He is always working for our good.

Jesus then rebukes the winds and waves, and they become completely calm. This act demonstrates His authority over creation. If He has such control over nature, He certainly has control over any storm in our lives. Jesus invites us to trust Him, believing that in both life and death, He is good and always working for our good.

A New Paradigm of Faith

Verse 27 describes the disciples' amazement, which in Greek implies a sense of terror at Jesus' power and authority. They wondered, "What kind of man is this?" This echoes a moment from C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia" where Lucy asks Mr. Beaver about Aslan, the lion representing God. "Is he safe?" she asks. "Of course he’s not safe. But he’s good," Mr. Beaver replies.

This might be a paradigm shift for you. Following Jesus isn't about safety but about trust and dependence on Him through life's storms. Awake or asleep, Jesus is in control, and He invites you into a life of faith.

Closing Thoughts

Today, Jesus invites you into the boat, embarking on a journey of faith and dependence, not comfort and convenience. The disciples who entered the boat experienced God's power firsthand, while those who stayed behind missed out.

Through the power of the cross, Jesus offers a way into the adventure of a lifetime. His body and blood in exchange for your allegiance, His death for your life.

Are you ready to enter the boat? Trust in Jesus, whether He calms the storm or provides peace through it. He is good and always working for your good.