On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 38 Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” 41 They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey.”
The Evangelist Mark gave more details than are found in the other Synoptic Gospels but the substance of the story in Matthew (8:23-27) and Luke (8:22-25) is the same. From the disciples’ perspective, to understand the significance of what Jesus did we have to reflect on creation; “A mighty wind sweeping over the waters (Gn. 1:2).” Only God can control nature.
Sudden violent storms were a common occurrence on the Sea of Galilee and large waves could capsize a small boat. Jesus was asleep in the boat when the storm occurred. The disciples had some faith that Jesus could do something to save them and woke him (v. 38). Jesus commanded the wind and sea as if they were living things, “Quiet! Be still (v. 39)!” Jesus' ability to control the wind and sea made the disciples begin to understand that he had divine power, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey (Mk. 4:31}". Jesus chastised the disciples for not having faith in God or him (Mt. 8:26). Absolute faith in Christ during turbulent times was a model for the early Church which experienced many persecutions and tribulations.
Almighty God, Jesus said that if we had only a little faith we would be able to move mountains. Increase our faith and grant us the grace to love you more each day and serve you in a way pleasing to you. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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