Christian Art | Calming Of The Storm
Matthew 8: 23-27 – Week 13 Ordinary Time, Tuesday (King James Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
23 ¶ And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Matthew is thought by some to have written his Gospel especially for converted Jews during the years 70s. Certainly, for all Christians, whether Gentile or Jew, Matthew wrote during a difficult period, when persecutions by the Roman authority became serious. By this time, there were communities of Christians dotted around the Mediterranean world. For some of these communities, repressions could be very brutal. Following on from the destruction of Jerusalem, there were also tensions between Jews and Christians in the regions of the Holy Land. The destruction of the Temple additionally represented an unsettling and loss of influence for those Jewish Christians who had been based in Jerusalem, and who had also used the Temple as a place of worship.
Jesus Faith And Trust In God | Calming Of The Storm
The miracle of the calming of the storm made a powerful impression on Jesus’ disciples. It is recounted by all three synoptic Gospels. In each Gospel, Jesus warns his disciples of the troubles to come. Jesus tells his disciples that to be Christians is going to be difficult, hard work, at times fatal.
Christians from early days have understood this miracle of Jesus as being a guide to the life of the Church and the experience of Christians. Many of us, thankfully, can only imagine the impact of the occasional bloody outbreaks of anti-Christian violence on those who sought to live a Christian life with Jesus. These were the early martyrdoms. In our own age, Christians are subject to violence and the threat of violence, for example in some countries where Islamist extremists have influence. These are the storms we weather.
The disciples were experienced fishermen, and the winds that can arise on the Sea of Galilee can be fierce, whipping up high waves. If the disciples thought they were serious danger, they no doubt were. They have followed Jesus into the boat, they are giving their lives to be travelling with Jesus, and now they are scared.
Why does Jesus sleep when there is water coming into the boat, and such fear among his disciples? Perhaps one answer is that Jesus is not afraid; he is calm in his faith in the Father. Jesus knows that the dangers posed by a storm are illusory. When he is awoken, and before he calms the storm at a word, he first asks his disciples: Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?
Perhaps we may think of some of those early martyrs, who were slaughtered for public amusement in the circuses, and variously tortured to death. They had great faith. It didn’t prevent them from being killed, but certainly they died as if nothing was troubling them, knowing they were with Jesus. It is a challenging thought. Would we be so strong, or would we be sorely afraid?
Concluding Prayer
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. (Psalm 107)
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
The Disciples Do Not Know Who Jesus Is
In Matthew 8:23-27, we see the disciples struggling to understand who Jesus truly is. As they set out on a boat, a great storm arises, and the disciples become afraid. They wake Jesus, pleading with Jesus to save them. Jesus rebukes them, saying: ‘Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?’ (Matthew 8:26)
This interaction shows us that the disciples did not fully comprehend the power and authority of Jesus. They witness Jesus’ miracles and teachings, but they struggle with doubts and fears.
This is a theme throughout the Gospels. Despite being with Jesus day in and day out, the disciples often failed to understand who he was and what he came to do. They argued among themselves about who was the greatest, they questioned Jesus’ teachings, and they even betrayed him.
It is only after Jesus’ death and resurrection that the disciples finally come to fully understand who Jesus is. In the book of Acts, we see Peter proclaiming boldly: ‘Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.’ (Acts 2:22)
This newfound understanding of Jesus’ power and authority is reflected in the writings of early Christian theologians, such as Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who wrote in one of his letters: ‘There is one physician who is possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing in flesh; true life in death; both of Mary and of God; first possible and then impossible, even Jesus Christ our Lord.’
The story of the disciples’ struggle to understand who Jesus is reminds us that our faith is a journey. It is a process of growth and discovery, and we are not always going to have all the answers.
In the end, the disciples’ lack of understanding did not prevent them from being used by God to spread the good news of the Gospel.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:35-36 (KJV) ‘For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: Naked, and ye clothed me not: I was sick, and ye visited me not: I was in prison, and ye came unto me not.’ Reflection on the Gospel In these verses, Jesus speaks about compassion and how our actions towards others reflect our love for Jesus. Jesus teaches us that by caring for those in need, we are also caring for Jesus. This passage challenges us to look beyond ourselves and extend kindness and mercy to those around us. Prayer Heavenly Father, I come to you asking for a heart filled with compassion. Help me to see others through your eyes, to feel their pain, and to be moved to action. Teach me to love and care for those who are suffering, just as Jesus did. Let my actions reflect your love and bring comfort to those in need. Thank you for your endless compassion and grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Personal Reflection I think about a time when I was in need and someone showed me compassion. How did it make me feel? Now, I consider a time when I had the opportunity to help someone else. How did my actions impact them? Compassion is more than just feeling sympathy for others; it is about taking action to alleviate their suffering. By practicing compassion, I bring God’s love into the world. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Compassion begins with recognizing the humanity in others and responding with love and kindness. Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-36 remind me that my treatment of others is a reflection of my relationship with Jesus. This is not only a call to action but an invitation to embody God’s love in my daily life. As I meditate on this prayer, I remember the story of the Good Samaritan. Despite being a stranger, the Samaritan showed great compassion to a wounded traveler, demonstrating the kind of love Jesus calls me to show. This story illustrates that true compassion knows no boundaries and is driven by love. I think about those in my community who are in need. I visualize their faces and hold them in my thoughts. I imagine Jesus standing with me, encouraging me to extend compassion and kindness. I feel the warmth of Jesus’ love as I commit to making a difference in their lives. Compassion is not just about grand gestures but also about small acts of kindness that can transform someone’s day. It involves listening, understanding, and being present for others. As I practice compassion, I become a vessel of God’s grace, reflecting Jesus’ love to those around me. Prayer Lord Jesus, thank you for your example of compassion. Help me to follow your footsteps and show love to those in need. Grant me the strength and courage to act with kindness and mercy. Fill my heart with empathy and understanding, and let your love be evident in all that I do. Amen. Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12 (KJV) ‘Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;’ Blessing May the compassion of God fill my heart and guide my actions. May His grace empower me to show love and kindness to those in need. Go forth in His love, extending mercy and compassion to all you meet. Amen.
Traditionally ascribed to King David, upon the discovery of his adultery, this psalm represents and enacts a perfect act of contrition, from the awareness and acknowledgement of sin, through acknowledgement of God, to celebration and renewal in faith with God [ … ]
Some people are so simple that they do not know what uprightness is. Theirs is not the true simplicity of the innocent: they are as far from that as they are far from rising to the virtue of uprightness. As long as they do not know how to guard their steps by walking in uprightness, they can never remain innocent merely by walking in simplicity. This is why Saint Paul warns his disciples I hope that you are also wise in what is good, and innocent of what is bad but also Brothers, you are not to be childish in your outlook, though you can be babies as far as wickedness is concerned. Thus Christ our Truth enjoins his disciples with the words Be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves. In giving them this admonition, he had to join the two together, so that both the simplicity of the dove might be instructed by the craftiness of the serpent, and the craftiness of the serpent might be attempered by the simplicity of the dove [ … ]
