March 11, 2025 • 23 mins
Do you fear the storms of life?
Jesus demonstrates His divine authority by calming a fierce storm, leaving His disciples in awe of His power over nature. Through this miracle, they begin to understand that Jesus is more than just a man; He is the sovereign Lord of all creation.
Today's Bible verse is Matthew 8:27, from the King James Version.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The men marveled, saying, what kind of a man is
this that even the wind and sea obey him? Almighty God,
we are in awe of your sovereignty over creation and
your unmatched authority over the universe, and the presence of
such majesty. We humbly bow our hearts, acknowledging our finitude
(00:25):
and your infinite greatness. Grant us the humility to recognize
our place in your creation, and to submit to your
will with reverence, and to trust in your goodness and
power in every aspect of our lives. May our lives
(00:46):
be a testament to your glory as we stand in
awe of your might and proclaim your greatness. Help us
to live with the constant awareness of your presence, Guide
by your wisdom and enveloped in your grace. In Jesus's
mighty name, we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with
(01:12):
me today. This is the Jesus Podcast, gospel inspired stories
meant to enliven your imagination and ignite your faith. Stay
tuned for an epic retelling of Jesus' authority over the storm.
Be sure to follow this podcast so you never miss
(01:33):
an episode. If these stories have blessed you share them
with a friend. Thanks for spreading the word, Jesus regarded
the crowd, thousands of them gathered by the shore of
the Sea of Galilee. The heavy breeze whistled in from
(01:53):
the vast waters as Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God.
By this point Jesus had taught many things. People had
traveled near and far to hear him speak. However, he
understood the state of every heart. Some would receive his words,
while others would reject them. Looking to the crowd, Jesus
(02:19):
began to speak in parables.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
A sower went out to plant seeds in his field.
He arose early in the morning, eager for the crop
awaiting him. As he spread the seeds, some fell along
the road beside the fields. The birds came and ate
them up. Now, some seeds fell upon hard and rocky ground.
There was no soil to nurture the seed, so he
(02:44):
immediately sprang up, but then rotted since it had no depth.
Other seeds fell by the thorns, where the weeds grew
up and choked the life out of the grain.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Jesus smiled and held up his finger.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Yet there were some seeds who fell by the good soil.
It was rich, fertile, and perfect for growth. The seed
that failed by that soil produced thirty sixty and a
hundred fold.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Jesus scanned the faces of the people standing on the shore.
He knew exactly where the seeds were falling. The clouds
were beginning to darken, and the sun was hidden by
the storm brewing on the horizon. Everyone began to depart
back to their homes. They were coastal people, and those
(03:38):
who lived on the coast understood a storm such as
this could potentially send people flying out of their sandals.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
Master, we should leave for tonight. A storm like this
would not be kind to us.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
The other disciples nodded. Andrew, Peter, James, and John were
fishermen and understood the volatile nature of the sea. They
respected the wind and feared its power. Jesus looked at
the horizon. About five miles out was the other side
of the sea. The disciples watched Jesus gaze closely. They
(04:16):
could tell he was up to something. Where others saw obstacles,
Jesus saw opportunity. With a glint in his eye, Jesus
hopped onto the fishing boat.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Come, let's go to the other side of the sea.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
Master, look at the horizon. Those clouds are darker than
I do.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
The disciples shuddered and looked out on the horizon. They
didn't see what Jesus saw. Jesus didn't look at the
oncoming storm with any concern. He saw what was through
the storm. The gentle breeze had been replaced with a
high pitched howl, as if warning the disciples not to
(04:57):
enter the boat less. Despite their fears, they did as
they were told and boarded the boat. Andrew hoisted the
sail as Peter manned the tiller. James and John set
the course and lifted the anchor. They were professionals and
sailed the boat like musicians in a symphony. For the
(05:22):
first mile, the wind was blowing in the right direction
for them to stay on course. The boat rocked up
and down to the volatile waves, and the rest of
the disciples held onto the ship's sides. John looked out
over the horizon. On the other side of the sea
were jagged mountain ranges. They were dark and foreboding. There
(05:45):
had been rumors of a man who lived in the
caves there. They said he had the strength of a
thousand men, and he was able to break chains with
his bare hands. The very thought since shivers down John's spine.
The sun had set and Jesus's eyes were heavy. He
(06:05):
had spent much of the day teaching, healing, and ministering
to people. He turned to the disciples and yawned, it's
been a long day, my friends. I will lay here awhile,
even with a glaring storm ahead. Jesus moved to the
stern of the ship, where there was an underhang to sleep.
He laid his head on the cushion, unperturbed by the
(06:28):
rocking waves. Peter looked at Jesus and then looked up
at the clouds. How could Jesus fall asleep in such conditions?
Was he that arrogant of the sea?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
He is from Nazareth, I suppose? Is it used to
being on this shore as much?
Speaker 1 (06:45):
He looked at Andrew, concerned about their chances of reaching
the other side. Then, with almost no notice, the winds shifted.
The ship's booms swung violently. As the winds changed course,
all the disciples ducked for cover. Andrew leaped towards the
rope and kept the boom from swinging further. He stopped
(07:08):
it right before it hit Matthew's head. Peter could feel
the tiller pulling to the left on its own.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
Each of you, grab a bucket and fasten yourself to
the masts.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
He shouted, with the commanding voice of a captain.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
We'll need all of you if we're going to survive this.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Peter gripped the tiller, ready to battle the storm on
his own. He looked at Jesus again, fast asleep under
the small overhang.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
What have you gotten us into?
Speaker 5 (07:40):
Who do you say Jesus is a good teacher, a
miracle worker, a healer? Or is he someone much greater?
How you define Jesus directly feeds into your faith. If
you see him as simply a man of great power,
you might believe there are situations more powerful than him.
If you view him as the Lord of all creed,
(08:00):
the one who holds the cosmos in the span of
his hand, then you'll know that he has the authority
over all things and will never allow anything to overcome
you as his follower. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast, a
year of story showcasing the depth of Christ's love through
storytelling and the glory of God's truth through honest reflection.
I'm Zach your host from prayed dot com, and I'm
(08:22):
excited to have you here today. Be sure to follow
the podcast and stay up to date on these epic
stories of Jesus's life and ministry. Our story today can
be found in all three of the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark,
and Luke. It's a story filled with terror, wonder, and
fear of the Lord. We'll begin with another scene of
Jesus teaching the crowds before heading out onto the waters
(08:44):
of the Sea of Galilee. Before long, a monumental storm
quickly sets in and seems to threaten the safety of
the disciples. Gripped with fear and wondering how the Lord
could be asleep at a time like this, they press
through the raging weather, their eyes set on another side
of the sea, desperately wondering if they're going to make
it to shore. But Jesus was with them, and this
(09:05):
storm would not only be used as another opportunity for
him to teach his disciples to have faith, it would
also prove that he is the master of the universe.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Two winds blew in from the east and the west,
colliding like two titans at war.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Lift the jeeps wake and steer it properly.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Peter shouted to Andrew. Andrew pulled with all his might,
but the wind flew in too many directions.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Oh, I can't the wind is too strong.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
I need to give us on course.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Peter shouted, with gritted teeth, leaning against the tiller with
his body weight. His eyes darted again to Jesus, fast
asleep on a pillow. The rain began to beat down
like arrows onto the side of the boat. Matthew was
terrified of a sudden He missed the safety of the
(10:02):
tax booth. He looked up at the sails. The wind
was tearing the shreds. As he looked up, a wave
crashed against the vessel's side, tossing Matthew overboard.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
Help someone, help me.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
James launched himself toward Matthew. His ribs hit the side
of the boat, but he was unable to grab Matthew's hand.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
I got you, Matthew, I've got you.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
The others ran to James and helped pull Matthew back up.
Another wave beat onto the side, sending them back onto
the deck. James held his side and chuckled.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
You're far from the tax booth.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Hey, Matthew, But there was no more time for laughter.
The sea was like a beast seeking to devour its prey.
Peter's hands were bleeding from gripping the tiller. He couldn't
hold on much longer.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Get the water out of the boat.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Peter screamed, clamping the tiller between his arms and chest
to keep it in place. The rest of the disciples
used pails to scoop the water out of the boat,
all the while Jesus was sleeping under the safety of
the start. Peter clenched his eyes. He was losing hope.
He was a man of the sea, but he couldn't
(11:17):
see away out of this. He looked at Jesus. He
was angry, anger that they could be perishing, and he
could be fast asleep. If he let go of the tiller,
the entire boat would spiral out of control into the sea.
He held tightly, blood dripping down into the pool of
(11:37):
water beneath his feet. Master Master Jesus didn't answer. Thunder
clapped above them, and another wave billowed against the ship.
Peter heard the wood crack. He couldn't bear it any longer.
He couldn't hold the weight of his companions all going
(11:58):
to die. Peter thought to himself. They needed a miracle.
But the one who was supposed to perform miracles didn't
seem to care at all. Weren't there cries enough to
wake him? Peter's entire body trembled. He was about to
let go.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
Master. Did you send us out here just so we
could drown? Don't you see that we're perishing? Do you
even care?
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Peter yelled with a broken and frightened voice. Jesus rose
from his sleep and looked at Peter. The wind was
piercing and ripping against Jesus's body, yet he stood to
his feet with complete composure. Peter watched as Jesus marched
up to the front of the vessel. The wind roared
(12:48):
like a challenger to Jesus. The wind whipped at his back,
and the rain fell like gravel. Jesus looked at the
storm like an adversary. The waves were merciless and smashed
against the boat to rock Jesus overboard. Yet in the
midst of an unrelenting force, God's hero stood firm. He
(13:14):
stretched out his hand against the forceful wind and.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Said, hush, be still.
Speaker 1 (13:21):
Jesus's voice rumbled like a lion's and the power of
his word pushed back the waves. The clouds fled like
frightened animals. In an instant, the wind and waves ceased,
their onslaught. The clouds vanished, revealing the firmament above, adorned
(13:43):
with glorious stars. Their twinkling light danced in the reflection
of the glassy sea below. The light from the stars
reflected upward, illuminating jesus sturdy and heroic frame. All was quiet,
and Jesus's face was revealed in the dimly lit night.
(14:07):
He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. Jesus turned
back to his disciples and said.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Where is your faith? Did I not tell you we
would reach the other side?
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Peter loosened his grip on the tiller, blood dripping from
his hands. He fell forward onto his knees and sobbed.
The disciples looked at Jesus standing at the front of
the boat. They bowed in awe. It was as if
nature itself knew his voice. The wind and the waves
(14:42):
bent to his will. They obeyed his voice. Even the
seas knew he was the lord. The night sky leaked
resplendent beauty. The light trickled down like rain drops on
Jesus's face. John propped himself up and sighed a breath
(15:06):
of wonder.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
Who is this man that even the sea and the
wind obey his command?
Speaker 1 (15:12):
See your math, Peter whispered under his breath.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
He must be something more.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
The night was almost over, the sun was rising over
the glassy sea. The other side was within view. Like
a mother placing her child down on to its bed,
the vessel was placed carefully on to the shore. By
the sea. The disciples stumbled out of the boat, praising
(15:37):
God they were alive. Matthew leaped out of the ship
and puked. All this was far more excitement than counting
coins in the safety of his booth. The disciples embraced
each other with exhausted laughter. Jesus and Peter exchanged glances.
(15:58):
Peter was slowly begin to realize who Jesus truly was.
Some said he was a prophet, the others thought he
was a revolutionary. But this event proved that Jesus was
something far more significant. In the beginning, God created the
(16:20):
wind and the sea with his voice. The source of
that same voice stood on the shore with them.
Speaker 5 (16:33):
As you know, scripture is rich with imagery and motifs
to signal to us what God is up to. And
there is, in my opinion, one image that sits above
the rest water. You have the stilled in quiet waters,
representing the refreshing presence of God's spirit. Then you have
the raging seas, representing the chaos and unpredictability of the world.
These chaotic waters were presented in the beginning before God
(16:56):
spoke light and life over the void. Genesis one for
says this, the earth was without form and void, and
darkness was on the face of the deep, and the
spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Then God said, let there be light. And there was light.
And God saw the light and it was good. And
God divided the light from the darkness with a word.
(17:16):
Chaos and darkness were tamed. Since the very beginning, God
has been reminding us that his very word can calm
the storm and bring light into darkness. Dark and chaotic
are certainly appropriate adjectives for the times we find ourselves
in today, and it's the very literal circumstance. These disciples
found themselves in rain beating down like arrows, and waves
(17:38):
beating against the ship like giants, chaos, darkness, and the
question the disciples have for Jesus is an interesting one,
one that shakes me to the core. Teacher, do you
not even care that we're perishing? There's a question that
we may think matters to people when it comes to God,
questions that require a case on the seven day creation,
(17:59):
the Antille reasoning for the existence of God or other
self gratifying apologetic questions. But in the midst of the
chaos and darkness, people aren't asking does God exist? They're
asking does God care about me? I'm perishing? Does Jesus
even care? I think, with the way my mind works
and the direction I have been seeing my generation go,
(18:21):
I am tempted to argue against the ideas of people
who are really at their core just playing, terrified, reeling,
caught up in the wind and waves. You see, some
people might present themselves as if they're against God, but
in reality, they're just wondering if God cares. And here's
Jesus speaking with the same voice that spoke light over
the chaotic void, saying be still you and I get
(18:44):
to testify to this voice with confidence. It's the only
voice that can truly calm the storms. In people's life.
In the next chapter, we see a man who is
caught not in a literal storm, but an inner storm.
On the other side of this sea lies a man
who is possessed by a legion of demons. We're going
to get to that story in a later season, but
(19:05):
to give you a recap, this man comes and attacks
Jesus on the shore, but immediately bows down to him.
Jesus casts a legion of demons out of him, and
the man who is tormented for so many years is
at peace. Gosh, if this isn't an image of our culture,
I don't know what is tormented to the point of
self harm, restless, alone and bound by ideology or crippling anxiety.
(19:32):
And we see Jesus do the same thing to that man.
He spoke to the storm that raged within him, declaring peace.
You see, there are inner storms and outer storms in
our life. The inner storms are the turmoil we feel within, depression,
crippling anxiety, relational strife. These are storms that rage within us,
and they cripple and hinder our reach towards God because
(19:55):
we feel overwhelmed. But then there's the outer storms, circumstances
that's outside of our control, a layoff, a death of
a loved ones, things that we can't control and need
desperately strength. For Jesus is the master of the inner
and the outer storms, the storms that rage in and
around people. And you and I are ambassadors of peace
(20:18):
in a chaotic world, getting to declare Jesus is the master,
and just as God's spirit hovered over the dark waters,
he is primed and ready to bring peace to those
who have been caught up in a cultural, emotional, or
spiritual tempest. Ephesians two seventeen says this, and he came
and preached peace to you who are afar off and
(20:38):
those who were near. This piece is a hard thing
to receive at times, because the storm makes me angry,
the cultural distress, the ideological warfare, the political division, and
if I'm not careful, I can find myself just punching
at the wind and yelling at the waves, expecting them
to cease. Sometimes we can think the louder we yell,
(20:59):
the quieter the storm nor will get as if with
our own power we can make these circumstances, these ideologies,
and these oppressors go away, and in our yelling we
can accomplish the opposite of what God is wanting to
do in us. We aren't supposed to rage against the storm,
but be ambassadors of the peace that's in it. Ultimately
pointing towards the captain of the tempest, Jesus. Matthew five
(21:22):
nine says, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be
called sons of God. Mark four forty through forty one says,
But he said to them, why are you so fearful?
How is it that you have no faith? And they
feared exceedingly and said to one another, who can this
be that even the wind and the sea obey him?
My friends, our battle is not against the storm, that's
for Jesus. Our battle is in keeping the faith and
(21:45):
our eyes fix on Jesus in the midst of the storm.
I have heard sermons preach many times on this passage,
and the sermon goes a little something like this. Jesus
said that they would cross over to the other side.
Why didn't the disciples have faith. Why didn't the disciples
have faith that they were going to get through the storm.
Jesus told them that they would. Why didn't they take
(22:07):
Jesus at his word? And I think this interpretation is
sound in certain ways, But can I pose something else?
Our hope should never be that the storm will end.
Our faith cannot be rooted in a false promise that
storms will always cease. Because can I tell you something, friends,
Sometimes the cancer doesn't heal. Sometimes the loved one leaves.
(22:31):
Sometimes you pray for the storm to end, and it
only rages and thrashes. Even harder is your faith in
some dream that life will no longer be difficult, that
life will no longer be challenging. My friends, wake up.
That's not the dream. That is not the prayer that
we should be praying. No, our prayer and our faith
(22:54):
is this. Even if the boat sinks, it doesn't matter.
It's where I want to be. Tie me to the
mast and let me sink to the bottom if it
means I get to be with Jesus. If Jesus is
in the boat with me, I can sink to the
very depths, and it's okay. I do not have some
profound point for us to close, but a simple encouragement
(23:16):
be strengthened. Be strengthened, that you share a boat with
the captain of the storm, have faith in the chaos,
and do not succumb to fear, that you may proclaim
the words of our Lord to a generation lost in chaos.
These things I have spoken to you, that in me
you might have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation,
but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world
John sixteen thirty three. And let this be, and let
(23:39):
us be proclaimers of peace in the midst of chaos,
refusing to stir up more division. Let us remind those
that are lost within an outer or inner storm that
there is hope, comfort, and peace available to them, whether
the rain subside and the wind cease or not.
The men marveled, saying, what kind of a man is
this that even the wind and sea obey him? Almighty God,
we are in awe of your sovereignty over creation and
your unmatched authority over the universe, and the presence of
such majesty. We humbly bow our hearts, acknowledging our finitude
(00:25):
and your infinite greatness. Grant us the humility to recognize
our place in your creation, and to submit to your
will with reverence, and to trust in your goodness and
power in every aspect of our lives. May our lives
(00:46):
be a testament to your glory as we stand in
awe of your might and proclaim your greatness. Help us
to live with the constant awareness of your presence, Guide
by your wisdom and enveloped in your grace. In Jesus's
mighty name, we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with
(01:12):
me today. This is the Jesus Podcast, gospel inspired stories
meant to enliven your imagination and ignite your faith. Stay
tuned for an epic retelling of Jesus' authority over the storm.
Be sure to follow this podcast so you never miss
(01:33):
an episode. If these stories have blessed you share them
with a friend. Thanks for spreading the word, Jesus regarded
the crowd, thousands of them gathered by the shore of
the Sea of Galilee. The heavy breeze whistled in from
(01:53):
the vast waters as Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God.
By this point Jesus had taught many things. People had
traveled near and far to hear him speak. However, he
understood the state of every heart. Some would receive his words,
while others would reject them. Looking to the crowd, Jesus
(02:19):
began to speak in parables.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
A sower went out to plant seeds in his field.
He arose early in the morning, eager for the crop
awaiting him. As he spread the seeds, some fell along
the road beside the fields. The birds came and ate
them up. Now, some seeds fell upon hard and rocky ground.
There was no soil to nurture the seed, so he
(02:44):
immediately sprang up, but then rotted since it had no depth.
Other seeds fell by the thorns, where the weeds grew
up and choked the life out of the grain.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Jesus smiled and held up his finger.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Yet there were some seeds who fell by the good soil.
It was rich, fertile, and perfect for growth. The seed
that failed by that soil produced thirty sixty and a
hundred fold.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Jesus scanned the faces of the people standing on the shore.
He knew exactly where the seeds were falling. The clouds
were beginning to darken, and the sun was hidden by
the storm brewing on the horizon. Everyone began to depart
back to their homes. They were coastal people, and those
(03:38):
who lived on the coast understood a storm such as
this could potentially send people flying out of their sandals.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
Master, we should leave for tonight. A storm like this
would not be kind to us.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
The other disciples nodded. Andrew, Peter, James, and John were
fishermen and understood the volatile nature of the sea. They
respected the wind and feared its power. Jesus looked at
the horizon. About five miles out was the other side
of the sea. The disciples watched Jesus gaze closely. They
(04:16):
could tell he was up to something. Where others saw obstacles,
Jesus saw opportunity. With a glint in his eye, Jesus
hopped onto the fishing boat.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Come, let's go to the other side of the sea.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
Master, look at the horizon. Those clouds are darker than
I do.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
The disciples shuddered and looked out on the horizon. They
didn't see what Jesus saw. Jesus didn't look at the
oncoming storm with any concern. He saw what was through
the storm. The gentle breeze had been replaced with a
high pitched howl, as if warning the disciples not to
(04:57):
enter the boat less. Despite their fears, they did as
they were told and boarded the boat. Andrew hoisted the
sail as Peter manned the tiller. James and John set
the course and lifted the anchor. They were professionals and
sailed the boat like musicians in a symphony. For the
(05:22):
first mile, the wind was blowing in the right direction
for them to stay on course. The boat rocked up
and down to the volatile waves, and the rest of
the disciples held onto the ship's sides. John looked out
over the horizon. On the other side of the sea
were jagged mountain ranges. They were dark and foreboding. There
(05:45):
had been rumors of a man who lived in the
caves there. They said he had the strength of a
thousand men, and he was able to break chains with
his bare hands. The very thought since shivers down John's spine.
The sun had set and Jesus's eyes were heavy. He
(06:05):
had spent much of the day teaching, healing, and ministering
to people. He turned to the disciples and yawned, it's
been a long day, my friends. I will lay here awhile,
even with a glaring storm ahead. Jesus moved to the
stern of the ship, where there was an underhang to sleep.
He laid his head on the cushion, unperturbed by the
(06:28):
rocking waves. Peter looked at Jesus and then looked up
at the clouds. How could Jesus fall asleep in such conditions?
Was he that arrogant of the sea?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
He is from Nazareth, I suppose? Is it used to
being on this shore as much?
Speaker 1 (06:45):
He looked at Andrew, concerned about their chances of reaching
the other side. Then, with almost no notice, the winds shifted.
The ship's booms swung violently. As the winds changed course,
all the disciples ducked for cover. Andrew leaped towards the
rope and kept the boom from swinging further. He stopped
(07:08):
it right before it hit Matthew's head. Peter could feel
the tiller pulling to the left on its own.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
Each of you, grab a bucket and fasten yourself to
the masts.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
He shouted, with the commanding voice of a captain.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
We'll need all of you if we're going to survive this.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Peter gripped the tiller, ready to battle the storm on
his own. He looked at Jesus again, fast asleep under
the small overhang.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
What have you gotten us into?
Speaker 5 (07:40):
Who do you say Jesus is a good teacher, a
miracle worker, a healer? Or is he someone much greater?
How you define Jesus directly feeds into your faith. If
you see him as simply a man of great power,
you might believe there are situations more powerful than him.
If you view him as the Lord of all creed,
(08:00):
the one who holds the cosmos in the span of
his hand, then you'll know that he has the authority
over all things and will never allow anything to overcome
you as his follower. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast, a
year of story showcasing the depth of Christ's love through
storytelling and the glory of God's truth through honest reflection.
I'm Zach your host from prayed dot com, and I'm
(08:22):
excited to have you here today. Be sure to follow
the podcast and stay up to date on these epic
stories of Jesus's life and ministry. Our story today can
be found in all three of the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark,
and Luke. It's a story filled with terror, wonder, and
fear of the Lord. We'll begin with another scene of
Jesus teaching the crowds before heading out onto the waters
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of the Sea of Galilee. Before long, a monumental storm
quickly sets in and seems to threaten the safety of
the disciples. Gripped with fear and wondering how the Lord
could be asleep at a time like this, they press
through the raging weather, their eyes set on another side
of the sea, desperately wondering if they're going to make
it to shore. But Jesus was with them, and this
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storm would not only be used as another opportunity for
him to teach his disciples to have faith, it would
also prove that he is the master of the universe.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Two winds blew in from the east and the west,
colliding like two titans at war.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Lift the jeeps wake and steer it properly.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Peter shouted to Andrew. Andrew pulled with all his might,
but the wind flew in too many directions.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Oh, I can't the wind is too strong.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
I need to give us on course.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Peter shouted, with gritted teeth, leaning against the tiller with
his body weight. His eyes darted again to Jesus, fast
asleep on a pillow. The rain began to beat down
like arrows onto the side of the boat. Matthew was
terrified of a sudden He missed the safety of the
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tax booth. He looked up at the sails. The wind
was tearing the shreds. As he looked up, a wave
crashed against the vessel's side, tossing Matthew overboard.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
Help someone, help me.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
James launched himself toward Matthew. His ribs hit the side
of the boat, but he was unable to grab Matthew's hand.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
I got you, Matthew, I've got you.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
The others ran to James and helped pull Matthew back up.
Another wave beat onto the side, sending them back onto
the deck. James held his side and chuckled.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
You're far from the tax booth.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Hey, Matthew, But there was no more time for laughter.
The sea was like a beast seeking to devour its prey.
Peter's hands were bleeding from gripping the tiller. He couldn't
hold on much longer.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Get the water out of the boat.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Peter screamed, clamping the tiller between his arms and chest
to keep it in place. The rest of the disciples
used pails to scoop the water out of the boat,
all the while Jesus was sleeping under the safety of
the start. Peter clenched his eyes. He was losing hope.
He was a man of the sea, but he couldn't
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see away out of this. He looked at Jesus. He
was angry, anger that they could be perishing, and he
could be fast asleep. If he let go of the tiller,
the entire boat would spiral out of control into the sea.
He held tightly, blood dripping down into the pool of
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water beneath his feet. Master Master Jesus didn't answer. Thunder
clapped above them, and another wave billowed against the ship.
Peter heard the wood crack. He couldn't bear it any longer.
He couldn't hold the weight of his companions all going
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to die. Peter thought to himself. They needed a miracle.
But the one who was supposed to perform miracles didn't
seem to care at all. Weren't there cries enough to
wake him? Peter's entire body trembled. He was about to
let go.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
Master. Did you send us out here just so we
could drown? Don't you see that we're perishing? Do you
even care?
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Peter yelled with a broken and frightened voice. Jesus rose
from his sleep and looked at Peter. The wind was
piercing and ripping against Jesus's body, yet he stood to
his feet with complete composure. Peter watched as Jesus marched
up to the front of the vessel. The wind roared
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like a challenger to Jesus. The wind whipped at his back,
and the rain fell like gravel. Jesus looked at the
storm like an adversary. The waves were merciless and smashed
against the boat to rock Jesus overboard. Yet in the
midst of an unrelenting force, God's hero stood firm. He
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stretched out his hand against the forceful wind and.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Said, hush, be still.
Speaker 1 (13:21):
Jesus's voice rumbled like a lion's and the power of
his word pushed back the waves. The clouds fled like
frightened animals. In an instant, the wind and waves ceased,
their onslaught. The clouds vanished, revealing the firmament above, adorned
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with glorious stars. Their twinkling light danced in the reflection
of the glassy sea below. The light from the stars
reflected upward, illuminating jesus sturdy and heroic frame. All was quiet,
and Jesus's face was revealed in the dimly lit night.
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He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. Jesus turned
back to his disciples and said.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Where is your faith? Did I not tell you we
would reach the other side?
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Peter loosened his grip on the tiller, blood dripping from
his hands. He fell forward onto his knees and sobbed.
The disciples looked at Jesus standing at the front of
the boat. They bowed in awe. It was as if
nature itself knew his voice. The wind and the waves
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bent to his will. They obeyed his voice. Even the
seas knew he was the lord. The night sky leaked
resplendent beauty. The light trickled down like rain drops on
Jesus's face. John propped himself up and sighed a breath
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of wonder.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
Who is this man that even the sea and the
wind obey his command?
Speaker 1 (15:12):
See your math, Peter whispered under his breath.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
He must be something more.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
The night was almost over, the sun was rising over
the glassy sea. The other side was within view. Like
a mother placing her child down on to its bed,
the vessel was placed carefully on to the shore. By
the sea. The disciples stumbled out of the boat, praising
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God they were alive. Matthew leaped out of the ship
and puked. All this was far more excitement than counting
coins in the safety of his booth. The disciples embraced
each other with exhausted laughter. Jesus and Peter exchanged glances.
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Peter was slowly begin to realize who Jesus truly was.
Some said he was a prophet, the others thought he
was a revolutionary. But this event proved that Jesus was
something far more significant. In the beginning, God created the
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wind and the sea with his voice. The source of
that same voice stood on the shore with them.
Speaker 5 (16:33):
As you know, scripture is rich with imagery and motifs
to signal to us what God is up to. And
there is, in my opinion, one image that sits above
the rest water. You have the stilled in quiet waters,
representing the refreshing presence of God's spirit. Then you have
the raging seas, representing the chaos and unpredictability of the world.
These chaotic waters were presented in the beginning before God
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spoke light and life over the void. Genesis one for
says this, the earth was without form and void, and
darkness was on the face of the deep, and the
spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Then God said, let there be light. And there was light.
And God saw the light and it was good. And
God divided the light from the darkness with a word.
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Chaos and darkness were tamed. Since the very beginning, God
has been reminding us that his very word can calm
the storm and bring light into darkness. Dark and chaotic
are certainly appropriate adjectives for the times we find ourselves
in today, and it's the very literal circumstance. These disciples
found themselves in rain beating down like arrows, and waves
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beating against the ship like giants, chaos, darkness, and the
question the disciples have for Jesus is an interesting one,
one that shakes me to the core. Teacher, do you
not even care that we're perishing? There's a question that
we may think matters to people when it comes to God,
questions that require a case on the seven day creation,
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the Antille reasoning for the existence of God or other
self gratifying apologetic questions. But in the midst of the
chaos and darkness, people aren't asking does God exist? They're
asking does God care about me? I'm perishing? Does Jesus
even care? I think, with the way my mind works
and the direction I have been seeing my generation go,
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I am tempted to argue against the ideas of people
who are really at their core just playing, terrified, reeling,
caught up in the wind and waves. You see, some
people might present themselves as if they're against God, but
in reality, they're just wondering if God cares. And here's
Jesus speaking with the same voice that spoke light over
the chaotic void, saying be still you and I get
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to testify to this voice with confidence. It's the only
voice that can truly calm the storms. In people's life.
In the next chapter, we see a man who is
caught not in a literal storm, but an inner storm.
On the other side of this sea lies a man
who is possessed by a legion of demons. We're going
to get to that story in a later season, but
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to give you a recap, this man comes and attacks
Jesus on the shore, but immediately bows down to him.
Jesus casts a legion of demons out of him, and
the man who is tormented for so many years is
at peace. Gosh, if this isn't an image of our culture,
I don't know what is tormented to the point of
self harm, restless, alone and bound by ideology or crippling anxiety.
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And we see Jesus do the same thing to that man.
He spoke to the storm that raged within him, declaring peace.
You see, there are inner storms and outer storms in
our life. The inner storms are the turmoil we feel within, depression,
crippling anxiety, relational strife. These are storms that rage within us,
and they cripple and hinder our reach towards God because
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we feel overwhelmed. But then there's the outer storms, circumstances
that's outside of our control, a layoff, a death of
a loved ones, things that we can't control and need
desperately strength. For Jesus is the master of the inner
and the outer storms, the storms that rage in and
around people. And you and I are ambassadors of peace
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in a chaotic world, getting to declare Jesus is the master,
and just as God's spirit hovered over the dark waters,
he is primed and ready to bring peace to those
who have been caught up in a cultural, emotional, or
spiritual tempest. Ephesians two seventeen says this, and he came
and preached peace to you who are afar off and
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those who were near. This piece is a hard thing
to receive at times, because the storm makes me angry,
the cultural distress, the ideological warfare, the political division, and
if I'm not careful, I can find myself just punching
at the wind and yelling at the waves, expecting them
to cease. Sometimes we can think the louder we yell,
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the quieter the storm nor will get as if with
our own power we can make these circumstances, these ideologies,
and these oppressors go away, and in our yelling we
can accomplish the opposite of what God is wanting to
do in us. We aren't supposed to rage against the storm,
but be ambassadors of the peace that's in it. Ultimately
pointing towards the captain of the tempest, Jesus. Matthew five
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nine says, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be
called sons of God. Mark four forty through forty one says,
But he said to them, why are you so fearful?
How is it that you have no faith? And they
feared exceedingly and said to one another, who can this
be that even the wind and the sea obey him?
My friends, our battle is not against the storm, that's
for Jesus. Our battle is in keeping the faith and
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our eyes fix on Jesus in the midst of the storm.
I have heard sermons preach many times on this passage,
and the sermon goes a little something like this. Jesus
said that they would cross over to the other side.
Why didn't the disciples have faith. Why didn't the disciples
have faith that they were going to get through the storm.
Jesus told them that they would. Why didn't they take
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Jesus at his word? And I think this interpretation is
sound in certain ways, But can I pose something else?
Our hope should never be that the storm will end.
Our faith cannot be rooted in a false promise that
storms will always cease. Because can I tell you something, friends,
Sometimes the cancer doesn't heal. Sometimes the loved one leaves.
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Sometimes you pray for the storm to end, and it
only rages and thrashes. Even harder is your faith in
some dream that life will no longer be difficult, that
life will no longer be challenging. My friends, wake up.
That's not the dream. That is not the prayer that
we should be praying. No, our prayer and our faith
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is this. Even if the boat sinks, it doesn't matter.
It's where I want to be. Tie me to the
mast and let me sink to the bottom if it
means I get to be with Jesus. If Jesus is
in the boat with me, I can sink to the
very depths, and it's okay. I do not have some
profound point for us to close, but a simple encouragement
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be strengthened. Be strengthened, that you share a boat with
the captain of the storm, have faith in the chaos,
and do not succumb to fear, that you may proclaim
the words of our Lord to a generation lost in chaos.
These things I have spoken to you, that in me
you might have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation,
but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world
John sixteen thirty three. And let this be, and let
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us be proclaimers of peace in the midst of chaos,
refusing to stir up more division. Let us remind those
that are lost within an outer or inner storm that
there is hope, comfort, and peace available to them, whether
the rain subside and the wind cease or not.
Host
Zak Shellabarger
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