Introduction Three gospels record this incident; Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41 and here in Luke s gospel. Luke wants to impress us with the fact that Jesus has absolute power over disasters. Jesus is God. He has demonstrated power over disease and death and in the next section of Scripture he will display his authority and power over demonic beings. But does the Lord care and is He watching when events in our lives are spinning out of control? Jesus calms the storms that blow into our lives. People everywhere want to be happy. They want to be happy in their marriage, happy on their job, happy in life, happy in thought, happy in deed. I believe a person s search for happiness is in part a search for, and satisfaction with God. They want peace with God. It is possible to have peace with God through Jesus Christ, but we live in a fallen world, filled with risk and danger. We live in a world filled with phobias and fears. During World War II, a military governor met with General George Patton in Sicily. When he praised Patton highly for his courage and bravery, the general replied; Sir, I am not a brave man the truth is, I am an utter craven coward. I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn t so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands. Years later, when Patton s autobiography was published, it contained this significant statement by the general: I learned very early in my life never to take counsel from my fears. Following Jesus In the Storms of Life (vv.22-23) Luke 8:22 (NKJV) Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, Let us cross over to the other side of the lake. And they launched out. The day began like any other day. Jesus got into a boat with His disciples. And Jesus said to them Let us cross over to the other side of the lake. The adventure begins with the leading of the Lord. Jesus got into the boat, the disciples followed Him. Jesus told them to cross over to the other side. If you don t think Jesus would ever lead you into a circumstance where you feel helpless think again. The lake is the sea of Galilee. It is about 13 miles long and about 6 miles wide. This body of water is also about 680 feet below sea level. North of the Galilee is Mount Hermon which is 9280 feet above sea level. In the winter the mountain is often covered with snow. Sometimes cold air descends from Mount Hermon and continues through a small ravine in the northern part of a valley that funnels into the Sea of Galilee. Sudden storms are not uncommon. Waves have been observed on the surface of the water as high as 25 feet. Jesus knew the storm was coming, and Jesus had the ability to stop it before it ever started. But he didn t stop it. Why did He permit the storm? For the same reason he allows storms to blow into your life; to test us, to grow us, to mature us. Jesus said, Let us cross over to the other side of the lake. Chuck Smith was fond of saying, Jesus said cross over, not sink under. We can trust Jesus when He gives us a 1
promise. We are going to make it. The tiny word us seems hardly significant but it is of tremendous importance. In this instance, Jesus promises all the disciples are going to make it to the other side of the lake. I love God s promises. God gives promises for a number of reasons; to give us strength, to provide encouragement, confidence, hope. When Jesus said, let us cross over to the other side they were going to make it to the other side. God keeps His Word. God never goes back on His Word. Philippians 4:6; Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Luke 8:23 (NKJV); But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. Why did Jesus fall asleep? I am going to suggest to you he fell asleep because he was tired. The disciples and Jesus could easily have walked to the other side of the lake, but this was a quick and efficient way to get to their destination. We sometimes stumble over the fact that Jesus was completely human and completely God. Because He was fully human, with flesh and blood, he experienced fatigue and exhaustion just like any other person who works hard. Hebrews 2:16-18 (NLT)16 We all know that Jesus came to help the descendants of Abraham, not to help the angels.17 Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted. The deity and the humanity of Jesus are more than just interesting and compelling theological truths, those truths translate into the real world in which live. The humanity of Jesus shows us the power of God; God s ability to come to us in Christ, in the form and likeness of a human being. If God can partake of flesh and blood He can do anything. But as man, Jesus Christ identifies with humanity, he can suffer like any human being, he knows the trials and experiences of humanity. Have you ever felt like Jesus fell asleep at the wheel of your life? Events are beyond your control? A sense of panic and fear sweeping over you? Does God really care? Is Jesus really watching over you? Or is the world spinning in a blind orbit? they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. The boat was filling with water and they were in jeopardy which means to undergo peril, to stand in danger. Matthew s gospel (8:24) says; And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves. But He was asleep. The word tempest in Matthew s gospel is the Greek word, seismos. We get words like seismic, or seismology, these are earthquake words. so that the boat was covered means the waves were so high that the boat was hidden from view. It was not going to be long for a full scale disaster to come 2
upon them. The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed, if not for the courage of the fearless crew oh wait a minute wrong song wrong crew! Why did they freak out? Because they thought they were going to die! Jesus kept on sleeping! These old sea-dog fisherman were afraid for their lives. The New Testament writers are brutally honest. Many writers like to make themselves heroes in their own stories. Here we see the disciples in all their naked imperfections. Jesus was completely confident His heavenly Father was in complete control even in the midst of the storm. Trusting Jesus In The Storm (v.24) Luke 8:24 (NKJV); And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8:24 (NLT) The disciples woke him up, shouting, Master, Master, we re going to drown! So Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waves. The storm stopped and all was calm! Mark s gospel tells us in Mark 4:37-38; And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat. So that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? God s promises are a soft pillow on the hard bed of affliction. Matthew s gospel (Matt.8:25-26;) Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, Lord save us! We are perishing! But he said to them, Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Why do a bunch of hardened sailors turn to a Bible teacher when the ship is sinking? They are wondering if Jesus really can save them. Is He more than just a Bible teacher? Jesus said, Don t be afraid. But they were afraid. They were seized with a fear that seemed out of their control. Lord save us! We are about to be destroyed. In a disaster we need a Lord not a teacher. The disciples don t ask for intellectual insight on tidal convulsions. Tidal waves are not overcome by education. They are not looking for a solution they are looking for salvation. Events in our lives sometimes leave us feeling at risk, whether it be in a job situation that calls us to take a stand, in the severe illness of a loved one, in an unexpected tragedy, or in the breakdown of a relationship. Any of these can be a storm which we doubt God s goodness. We may feel God has left us to fend for ourselves (Bock; Life Application Commentary, pp.237-238). When the winds are howling and the boat is filling fast, and you are about to tip over, how can you control your fear? The disciples could not control the weather. These were seasoned fishermen and they were terrified! We cannot control natural disasters. We can choose to live next door to a volcano; we can choose to live in a state that is free of earthquakes, floods, tornados, electrical storms, snow storms, hurricanes etc. Where is there a place on the earth free from risk? We live in a world where sometimes the waves are too big, and the boat is too small. A Few Words About Fear (v.25) 3
Luke 8:25 (NKJV); But He said to them, Where is your faith? And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him! Why does Jesus say, Where is your faith? Because at some level they did not believe the promise He had made to them. Jesus makes it clear the danger was not the storm around them but rather the unbelief within them! The disciples failed this test of faith because they did not believe Jesus word that they were going to the other side. Warren Wiersbe writes; It has well been said that faith is not believing in spite of circumstances; it is obeying in spite of feelings and consequences. The disciples looked around and saw danger, and looked within and saw fear; but they failed to look by faith and see God. Faith and fear cannot dwell together in the same heart. A woman said to D.L. Moody, I have found a wonderful promise! and she quoted Psalm 56:3; What time I was afraid, I will trust in Thee. Let me give you a better one, said Moody; and he quoted Isaiah 12:2, Behold God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid (TBEC Vol.1; p.202). I think Moody misspoke. One certainly is better it is better to trust and not be afraid, but sometimes we are afraid, we are terrified. We tell God we need Him, and then we hate Him, and then we hate ourselves. In the end we must trust God, and not doubt. God never promised a life void of pain, bereft of heartache, God never promised no suffering, discomfort, distress, misery, hurt, affliction, persecution, betrayl. God s promise and His presence are our resources to make it through raging waters and deadly storms. Where is your faith? The time to exercise faith is in the midst of the storm. Ephesians 6:16 (NKJV); above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV); But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Have you ever been so afraid you thought you would die? Have you ever been afraid that someone you loved was going to die? We are all in the same boat, our lives are subject to the same storms, and sometimes we just want to abandon ship and bail out. Fear intensifies the storm. If this passage means anything, it must mean Jesus is calling us to a deeper trust, a secure faith in Him in the place He has led us, in the circumstance beyond our control. There was a crusty old sea captain who was pretty colorful with his language. He was also an outspoken atheist. One night during a storm he was washed overboard. His men heard him crying out to God for help. When he was finally rescued one of the men asked him, I thought you didn t believe in God! The captain replied, Well, if there isn t a God, there ought to be for times like this. Someone has said there are no atheists in fox- 4
holes, and when you think you are going to die, many people are open to reconsider the possibility there is a God. Many people turn to God when they have exhausted all other resources. We cannot and must not fault the disciples for turning to Jesus in the time of jeopardy. Sure they cried, we are dying Lord, we are perishing, what are you going to do about it? It was a weak faith, a substandard faith, a limited faith. They did not understand God s care, they failed to realize Jesus never goes off duty, He never takes a break, even in rough waters. Fear and phobias are nothing new. Some people are paralyzed by fear, gripped by phobias. They are imprisoned and feel everyday like they are perishing. Fear always involves loss. We are afraid of losing money, power, prestige, loved ones, our marriage, or even our lives. 1 John 4:18 (NKJV); There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. The opposite of fear is love. And the solution to fear is love. I am not talking about gooey, sappy, sloppy, agape. I am talking about the Biblical view of love. Love that originates in God, and has for its model 1 Corinthians 13. Love looks for opportunities to give. Fear always looks with suspicion and wonders what will he or she do to me? Love thinks no evil and fear thinks little of anything else but evil. Love labors in today s tasks, while fear puts off or does not accomplish anything because of paralysis. Love is willing to give of self, fear protects self. Love moves towards others, fear shrinks away. Remember, love casts out fear, so love has greater expulsive power. A woman terrified by a bug or a rodent, will go up against a bear in order to save her threatened children. Her love overcomes her fear. A man who had a fear of bridges still crossed one when he heard his children were involved in an automobile accident on the other side of the bridge. Love produces boldness. Loving God expels fear. The more love, the less fear. No where in the New Testament do we find Jesus afraid of anything or anyone. Jesus brings new meaning to the words No Fear. John also said fear brings torment or punishment. Fear stems from the consequences of either what God can do or man can do to you! The sum of the Law is loving God and loving your neighbor. Loving God involves trusting, believing, worshiping and serving Him. Loving our neighbor focuses on how we can give to our neighbor. All fear is some how rooted in a fear of what someone can do to us. The fear of consequences can often be worse than the consequence itself! The wicked flee when no man is pursing. All fears should not be dismissed as the speculations of mental illness. I once counseled a girl who thought God was going to kill her. She also claimed to have multiple personalities. Her husband was a police officer, but she was committing adultery with a pastor of a church. She created other personalities to distance herself from her fear and 5
guilt. When fear and worry grip your heart, when love and faith seem hard to grasp, when Jesus hand seems far way, then cast your cares just like a net into the endless ocean of God s promises. Perhaps there is a promise that will perfectly suit your situation. How do we overcome fear? By God s love, by God s promises, and by God s presence. God told Joshua, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Josh.1:9). Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV); Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Conclusion Luke ends this section with the statement; And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him! They were afraid, because the truth was beginning to take root inside of their heart. Jesus is no ordinary man. They were afraid that is overcome with reverential awe, the fear that comes when you realize you are in the presence of an omnipotent being. and marveled that is they wondered at his enormous power and sovereignty. They ask the question Jesus wanted them to ask, Who can this be? Who is Jesus? We have the promise of God and the presence of God. One of the great hymns of the faith was written in response to an awful storm. In the nineteenth century Horatio G. Spafford lost his four daughters when an ocean liner sank in the Atlantic Ocean; only his wife survived, sending a cable to her husband she wrote two words; Saved alone. Such a storm. What did this saint write as he contemplated what had happened? The first stanza tells us much, as does the chorus to this well-known hymn; When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. Recently in our church a man left his wife. The wife came to me, understandably upset, distraught, devastated. I prayed with her and encouraged her to trust the Lord. That s easy for you to say she said. Most people who sing Spafford s hymn do not understand the depths of anguish and pain he experienced as he penned the words. I am most aware of the presence of God in times of deepest trial. When my wife was diagnosed with cancer. During my son s illness, my grandfather s death; lying in a car with my back broken, at Columbine High School, at Ground Zero. Most of you are familiar with the poem The Footprints of God. In deepest sleep one night I dreamed that on the beach I walked. God was by my side each step and quietly 6
we talked. Then on the sky my life was flashed: the visions all serene. Two sets of footprints in the sand were there in every scene. But then I noticed in some scenes of suffering pain and strife...just a single set of footprints at the worst times in my life. God you said you d stay by me in good times and in bad...why then did you leave me...each time my life was sad? My precious child God answered when you life had pain I knew. The single set of footprints were the times I carried you. 7