Calming the storm – Wikipedia
One of the miracles of Jesus recorded in the Gospels is the calming of a storm, which is described in Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25. (the Synoptic Gospels). A distinction should be made between this story with Jesus’ walk on water, which also takes place in a boat on a lake and comes later in the narrative.
Biblical accounts
According to the Gospels, Jesus and his followers were traveling across the Sea of Galilee in a boat one evening when the incident occurred.Suddenly, a ferocious storm blew in, with the waves smashing over the boat to the point that it was almost completely submerged.The disciples awoke Jesus, who was sleeping on a cushion in the stern, and questioned, ″Teacher, don’t you worry if we drown?″ Jesus replied, ″I don’t care if we drown.″ The Gospel of Mark then describes how Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind, as well as saying to the sea, ″Be still, and know that I am God.″ ″Goodbye, war!Keep your cool!″ Then the wind died away, and there was complete silence.
He addressed them as follows: ″What is it that you are terrified of?Do you still have no confidence in me?″ In profound astonishment, they said to one another, ″Who is this man who even the wind and sea follow him?″ they wondered aloud.
Analysis
It has been noted by the author Michael Keene that the Sea of Galilee is notorious for its sudden and strong storms and that the Jews, as people of the land, are typically uncomfortable at sea, especially because they think the sea is full of scary monsters.It is suggested by the Pulpit Commentary that these unexpected storms are caused by winds originating on the peaks of Mount Hermon, which is located in the Anti-Lebanon mountains, to the north.According to the Anglican clergyman John Clowes, by asking his disciples the question ″Why are you so afraid?″ Jesus was asking them to investigate in their own minds the cause and origin of fear, so that they would realize that all fear has its roots in natural affection and thought, which are distinct from spiritual affection and thought, and that all fear is a result of this separation.As well as by posing the question ″Do you still have no faith?″ Jesus was clearly pointing out a flaw in their spiritual beliefs when he said this.
The author went on to say that by asking that final question, Jesus was clearly telling his followers, and through them all future generations of mankind, that fear is a continual outcome of a lack of Heavenly principles in the human mind.
Artworks
- Calming the storm in art
See also
- History of Jesus
- Life of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament
- Jesus’ Ministry
- Jesus’ Parables
- Luke 8
- The Parables of Jesus
References
- ^ Boring, M. Eugene
- Craddock, Fred B. (Oct 1, 2004), The People’s New Testament Commentary, p. 126, ISBN 0-66422754-6.
- \s ^ Mark 4:39–41, New Revised Standard Version.
- \s ^ Keene, Michael (2002), St Mark’s Gospel and the Christian Faith, p. 26, ISBN 0-7487-6775-4.
- \s ^ Clowes, John (1817), The Miracles of Jesus Christ, Manchester, UK: J. Gleave, p. 47
External links
At Wikimedia Commons, you can find images and videos related to Calming the storm.
5 Lessons We Can Learn From Jesus’ Calming Of The Storm –
In my speaking engagements at churches and conferences around the country, one of my favorite Bible passages to address is ″Jesus Calms the Storm At Sea,″ which is found in Matthew 14:26-27.(Matthew 8:23-27).On the surface, the disciples follow Jesus into a boat, during which a violent storm erupts and the Lord calms the sea.Isn’t it straightforward?
Unfortunately, because this tale is so straightforward, we frequently overlook certain important details.You may learn five vital lessons from this compelling narrative if you’re struggling to quit worrying about Ebola, ISIS, the stock market, your own personal health, losing your job, or any number of other issues: First, as Jesus got into the boat, the disciples jumped into the water and followed Him about.Every day should be the same as the previous one.Following Jesus with complete devotion will not only allow you to stop worrying, but it will also lead you to paradise!2.Even Jesus’ Followers Experience Difficulties– Just because we are followers of Jesus does not imply that we will not experience difficulties in our life.
However, following Jesus will provide you with serenity, even in the midst of those storms and difficulties.(Matthew 11:28; Luke 11:28) If Jesus is silent, don’t be alarmed — Even though Jesus was sleeping in the boat, He was in complete command of the situation and had everything under control.Don’t be concerned if it appears that He has abandoned you…He’s standing right next to you!4.
- Cry Out for Help– While it is true that the disciples panicked when the storm started, they also had enough faith to do something extremely beneficial – they requested Jesus to come and help them out of their situation.
- Worrying is always ineffective, while praying is always effective, and vice versa.
- Despite the fact that we may not receive precisely what we desire, we will get exactly what we require.
- After Jesus calmed the storm, ″the men wondered,″ which means that they were taken aback (Mt.
- 8:27).
- Looking back on all of the times Jesus has come to your rescue will undoubtedly strengthen your faith and equip you to deal with future difficulties.
- Jesus, just as He did 2,000 years ago, has the ability to quiet the storms in your life and assist you in achieving peace.
- An excellent suggestion is to act in the manner of the disciples at sea.
- Consider giving it a go and seeing what happens!
Bible Gateway passage: Mark 4:35-41 – New International Version
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Analysis and Commentary About Jesus Calming the Storm?
35 And the following day, when the darkness had arrived, he said to them, ″Let us cross over to the other side.″ They apprehended him even as he was about to board the ship after they had dispatched the large crowd.And he was accompanied by a number of other small ships.There was an enormous storm of wind, and the waves smashed into the ship, which was now completely filled.He was sleeping on a cushion in the aft portion of the ship when they awoke him, saying, ″Master, do you not care that we perish?″ He replied, ″I do not care that we perish.″ 37 When the wind was reprimanded, he got to his feet and whispered to the sea, ″Peace, be calm.″ And then the wind died away, and there was a huge silence.
40 And he inquired of them, saying, ″Why are you so afraid?″ What is it about you that you lack faith?41 And they were terrified beyond measure, exclaiming to one another, ″What kind of man is he, that even the wind and the sea obey him?″ Consider the following passages: Matthew 13:34,35; Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25.
Jesus’ Power Over Nature
The ″sea″ that Jesus and his companions are crossing is the Sea of Galilee, which means that the land they are going on to is what is now known as the modern-day Jordan.This would take him into area under the rule of Gentiles, indicating the ultimate extension of Jesus’ message and community beyond the Jewish people and into the Gentile world.The boat is threatened with sinking after a considerable amount of water has been pumped into it during the journey across the Sea of Galilee by a powerful storm.Although it is unclear how Jesus managed to remain sleeping, classic interpretations on the verse assert that he did so on purpose in order to put the apostles’ faith to the test.
That example, if they failed because they were so terrified that they woke Jesus up to ask if it mattered if they all drowned.It seems more likely that the author of Mark chose to have Jesus asleep for literary reasons: Jesus’ calming of the storm is intended to echo the narrative of Jonah, which is why Jesus is sleeping.Because the narrative of Jonah depicts him resting on the deck of the ship, Jesus is sleeping in this location.Adopting such a rationale involves acknowledgment of the fact that this story is a literary fabrication of the author rather than a historically true historical account.Jesus then proceeds to put a stop to the storm and restore tranquility to the sea – but why?Because he rebukes the others for not having faith – presumably, they should have believed that nothing bad would happen to them while he was nearby – it does not appear like calming the storm was definitely essential.
They would have made it over just fine, according to the story, even if he hadn’t halted the storm.Was it merely his intention to put on a show of raw force in order to wow his disciples?If that’s the case, he appears to have succeeded since they look to be just as terrified of him as they were with the storm just seconds earlier.But it’s odd that they haven’t figured out who he is just yet.Why did they bother to wake him up in the first place if they didn’t believe he would be able to accomplish anything?
- Despite the fact that he is still in the early stages of his ministry, he has been revealing to them all of the hidden meanings behind his parables.
- Have they not talked about who he is and what he’s done thus far?
- Or, even if they did, do they simply refuse to trust what he says?
- This looks to be just another instance in which the apostles are shown as naive fools, whatever the case may be.
- Returning once more to conventional interpretations of this chapter, many believe that this parable is intended to educate us not to be afraid of the turmoil and violence that surrounds us in our daily lives.
- First and foremost, if we have trust, there will be no harm done to us.
- Second, if you behave in the manner of Jesus and simply demand the chaos to ″be quiet,″ you will at the very least gain an inner sense of calm and will be less disturbed by what is taking place around you.
- In some accounts, like as those about Jesus calming a raging storm, the manifestation of Jesus’ strength is shown against imposing, even legendary forces such as raging seas, armies of devils, and death itself.
- The act of encircling the sea itself is described in Genesis as an expression of divine authority and privilege.
- It is no coincidence that the stories of Jesus that follow include more examples of Jesus coming up against powers that are considerably more strong than those that have been seen thus far.
What is the significance of Jesus calming the storm?
Answer to the question The account of Jesus calming the storm is told in the three Synoptic Gospels, which are Matthew, Mark, and Luke, in chronological order.Jesus had been preaching near the Sea of Galilee when something happened.After that, He desired to get away from the throng and so he and the apostles boarded a boat and traveled to the opposite coast, where there were no significant cities (Mark 4:35–36).According to the Bible, Jesus fell asleep on the boat shortly after they set sail, and a storm erupted (Luke 8:23).
Listed below are two significant aspects of Christ’s real humanity that should not be overlooked: He yearned for rest and solitude away from the masses, and He was so fatigued that even the pounding of the boat failed to rouse Him (Matthew 8:24).These insights should assist us in seeing that Jesus was a true human being with the same fundamental needs as we all do.As part of His qualification to serve as our gracious intermediary between us and God the Father, Christ’s humanity is reflected in His teachings about the nature of God (Hebrews 2:17).Despite the fact that the scripture does not specify which apostles were with Christ on the boat, it seems likely that seasoned fisherman (at least four of the twelve apostles) were on board.Most of these guys were seasoned sailors, and this was probably not their first encounter with a squall on the Sea of Galilee, which was notorious for its violent storms that came out of nowhere.Even these skilled fisherman were terrified by the storm, to the point that they feared they would perish in the water (Luke 8:24).
In the meantime, the waves were smashing into the boat, and the boat was quickly filling up.″ ″But Jesus was at the stern, sleeping on a cushion,″ Mark 4:37–38 explains.Significantly, even throughout the storm, which was ″already filling″ the boat, Jesus slept deeply and soundly, a fact that should be noted.According to the Bible, a believer’s sleep will be lovely and tranquil because he will be aware that the Lord is with him (Proverbs 3:24; Psalm 4:8).This is why, when Jesus was roused from His sleep, He confronted the disciples with the inquiry, ″Have you still no faith?″ (Matthew 4:40) The apostles’ lack of faith serves as a reminder to us that even those who lived and walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, and heard His message found it impossible to be completely faith-filled all of the time, even in the presence of Jesus.In that respect, the disciples were very similar to us.
- Their lack of trust, on the other hand, was rebuked—and, by implication, so did ours.
- The apostles were saved from the storm, and Jesus is also capable of rescuing us from the storms of ordinary life: disease, job loss, marital difficulties and even the sting of death (1 Corinthians 15:55).
- It was obvious that the storm was approaching when Jesus ″gave orders to cross over to the other side″ (Matthew 8:18).
- He is omniscient (John 2:25), and despite the rising storm, He made the decision to embark out to sea.
- The Lord never promised us that we would never experience a storm in our lives (as a matter of fact, He has told us to expect trouble, John 16:33).
- He has, on the other hand, guaranteed that He will be with us during the storm.
- He will never abandon His children in the face of adversity; with faith and endurance, they will triumph over it (Deuteronomy 31:8; James 1:12).
- According to this scripture, not only does Jesus disclose his genuine humanity, but he also demonstrates his divinity, because only God has the power to make the ″winds and rivers obey″ (Luke 8:25).
- With a single word from Christ, the storm subsided, and the water became quiet once more (Mark 4:39).
- The apostles were awestruck by this spectacular demonstration of Jesus’ extraordinary control over the elements (Luke 8:25).
- This may be quite reassuring to a Christian who is going through a difficult time.
- It is impossible to have a faulty faith in Christ.
- If He can quiet the storms of the sea with a single word, it is reasonable to assume that He can calm the storms of life.
- Return to the previous page: Questions regarding Jesus Christ Was it ever explained to you why Jesus calmed a storm?
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Jesus Calms The Storm Story: The Significance & What We Learn.
During your reading of the gospels, you may come across the tale of Jesus calming the storm a couple of different times.There is a lot we can take away from this narrative and apply it to our own lives, and we should.What is the significance of Jesus calming the storm?The tale of Jesus calming the storms demonstrates that God is always with us, even when we are unaware of it.
Jesus is in complete command.He is with us in the midst of the storms.Scripture passages that tell the tale of Jesus calming the storm include Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25.Despite the fact that they are all telling the same event, they provide us with a variety of viewpoints on what was happening.They are all sources of encouragement for us today as we walk with Christ.
Jesus Calms The Storm
This tale begins after Jesus has preached to a large audience and gets into a boat.The disciples follow him, and Jesus informs them that they will be traveling to the other side of the lake.Everywhere Jesus walks, the disciples are simply trailing behind him.They encountered a severe windstorm as they journeyed across the Sea of Galilee, resulting in water pouring into their boat.
While all of this was going on, Jesus was sleeping in the stern.Jesus was roused from his sleep by the disciples, who informed him of what was taking place.They rouse him awake and inform him that they are in danger and that they are about to perish due to the storm.After then, Jesus rises up and rebukes the wind and the waves, which causes them to cease.’Where has your trust gone?’ he inquired of them.″Who is this then?″ They questioned one another, marveling at the fact that he could command even the winds and water, which they did.
″Who is he?″ they wondered.Luke 8:25 (NIV) The disciples are taken aback, but then Jesus questions them about their lack of trust.The disciples are terrified, and they question who has the ability to control the wind and the sea.Before the disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee, they heard Jesus speak about the kingdom of God via parables and even heal people before they set out on their journey.Following their experience on the Sea of Galilee, they arrive at Gerasenes, where they heal a man who has been possessed by a demon.
- They witnessed much of what Jesus was accomplishing during his earthly career and witnessed his power in action, yet they retained little trust as a result of what was shown to them in these chapters.
- Once people recognized that Jesus was both completely God and fully man when he died and rose from the dead, they knew that he was the Messiah, who is entirely God and totally man.
The Significance Of The Story
This is a narrative that has a great deal of significance for us now.It is astonishing to witness Jesus’ total calm in the face of such chaos, while the disciples were in complete disarray.Jesus was at ease and unconcerned by the storm that was raging around them.There was no need for the disciples to be alarmed in the first place.
A big storm broke out on the sea, and the boat was being flooded by waves; nonetheless, he was sound sleeping in his boat.Matthew 8:24 (KJV) The wind and seas that surrounding the disciples were enormous, and everyone on board, with the exception of Jesus, was terrified.It is clear from the outset that Jesus understood what was going on since he scolded the disciples for their lack of trust.They did not place their faith in Jesus and everything he could and would achieve.At that point, the disciples were more terrified of the storm than they were confident in God.This narrative shows several important aspects of our spiritual journey with Christ.
Even though we will face difficulties in life, we must place our faith in God and His control over the circumstances.It is possible for both the disciples and those of us who read this account today to get a better understanding of the relevance of our faith in Jesus during times of adversity, as well as to develop in our confidence that God is in control and that we may put our trust in him.
The Disciples Response
Many of Jesus’ followers were fishermen, as was the case with Peter.They made their income by capturing and selling fish in the water.They were sure to run across storms every now and again, but this one was particularly enormous, and the disciples were fearful for their lives as they tried to flee.The disciples should have learned that Jesus had authority in many previous situations throughout the storm, which would have given them more confidence in God’s provision in the circumstances, but instead they panicked.
The disciples most likely responded in the same way that we would have.We are limited in our ability to perceive beyond the present instant in our finite human intellect.At that time, all the disciples could see were approaching seas that threatened to wash away their hope for the future.And they ran and roused him up, crying out, ‘Save us, Lord; we are on the verge of perish.’ Matthew 8:25 (KJV) Not because they were in danger of drowning, but because Jesus was asleep and they believed they were all going to perish at sea, the disciples came to Jesus to urge him to calm the waves or get them to safety.They were engaged in vital and gratifying labor for Jesus, but they had a limited understanding of whether or not they would be able to withstand the storm and complete their mission.Jesus had assured them before they set out that they would make it to the other side, but by the time the storm struck, they had forgotten his words and were terrified.
Those were the words and characteristics of Jesus that people should have remembered the most at that point in time.
The Character of Jesus Shown Through His Calming Of The Storm
Jesus came to the planet as one hundred percent man and one hundred percent God.As a result, Jesus went through the same emotions that other individuals go through.When Jesus falls asleep in this parable, we are reminded of his humanity.Jesus, like everyone else, was in need of rest.
We learned that he was quite busy traveling, teaching, and healing while we were there.Jesus was in desperate need of rest and sleep aboard this boat.But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion.Mark 4:38a (Alternate Version) Because of the passage’s discussion of Jesus’ authority, we may gain a better understanding of Jesus’ other nature as one hundred percent God as well.It is Jesus’ divine dominion over nature that is demonstrated when He rebukes the wind and the waves and they come to a stop.And he awakened, rebuked the wind, and cried out to the sea, ″Peace!
Peace!″ ″Stay still!″ And then the wind died away, and there was a huge silence.4:39 (Matthew 4:19) Before Jesus ever steps foot on the boat, he already knows what is going to happen; he is omniscient, which means that he knows everything, both in the present and the future.When Jesus boarded the boat, he was well aware of the impending storm, yet he did so regardless because he had faith in his heavenly Father, just as the disciples should have done.During this journey, Jesus was putting his faith in his heavenly Father, in contrast to the disciples.To sleep on a boat during a storm must have been difficult, but Jesus was able to sleep peacefully knowing that he was secure and didn’t have to worry about anything.
- The fact that Jesus was asleep may have served as a hint to the disciples that everything would be alright.
- If Jesus was able to sleep and put His confidence in His father, certainly they should be able to do the same thing.
- Through Jesus’ mission, we can see that he encountered the same earthly difficulties that we do, but since his confidence in the Father is total, we should aim to be in the same position as Jesus in the boat, able to rest in the Lord as he did.
- In this parable, Jesus’ dual nature as one who is one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man is made plain.
- We see him as a human being who requires repose, as well as His divine nature as he calms the storm.
- It is not just Jesus’ divinity that is plainly demonstrated in the manner He calms the storm, but it is also evident throughout scripture that God has complete authority over all of creation.
- God, first and foremost, is responsible for the creation of the world.
- The creation of the cosmos and everything within it is described in Genesis 1 as God speaking and creating the universe.
- Then there are texts scattered throughout the Old Testament that describe God’s authority over the rivers.
- You wrapped it in the depths as if it were a robe, and the seas rose above the peaks.
- They took flight at the sound of your rebuke, and they took flight at the sound of your thunder.
- Psalm 104:6, 7 (NIV)
Parallels Between Jonah & Jesus Calming the Storm
Interestingly, the tale of Jesus’ birth is also a parallel to the story of Jonah in the Old Testament, but with a different outcome.The prophet Jonah served God, but when God sent him somewhere he did not want to go, he decided to leave on his own own by taking a boat in the opposite way.As a result, Jonah ended up falling asleep in the bottom of the boat, where he was ultimately roused by the other passengers.Then, when they realized they couldn’t get away from the storm and that Jonah was the cause of it, Jonah was tossed overboard, and the storm died down immediately.
Jonah is transported to his destination by a gigantic fish.Despite the fact that both stories are vastly different, both include God calming the sea and both Jesus and Jonah resting as the storm rages all around them.For example, when Jonah was tossed overboard and the rest of the crew managed to escape the storm.Jesus was ultimately our sacrifice, and it is only because of His death that we are still alive.
What We Can Learn From Jesus Calming The Storm
The disciples chose fear before they choose faith, but we have the option to choose faith over fear at this moment of our lives.Even in the smallest details of our lives, we may be assured that God is in complete command.In this circumstance, we can all relate to the disciples because there are times when we would have faith and not be concerned, but there are other instances when we have chosen fear over confidence.There are many people today, even Christians, who believe that the world is collapsing, and although this may be true, we still have faith in God to bring it back together.
God is the source of our hope.God is with us at all times, even while we are in the midst of a storm.Because many of the disciples were fisherman, when the storm started, they probably remained calm because they knew what to do in a storm.It was only after the storm grew out of hand that they realized they were going to die out there.In the midst of their despair, Jesus entered and brought the storm to a halt.Even though Jesus inquired about the disciples’ faith, he performed an amazing miracle in spite of their lack of belief.
For those who love God, we know that all things work together for good, and that God’s plan for their lives is to bring them into being.Romans 8:28 (NIV) Our lives are being shaped by God right now, whether we realize it or not.He has drawn us to himself and is at work in our lives, making whatever happens for the better.We don’t want to lose sight of the fact that God is there, that he knows everything, and that he possesses all power.Even when everything appears to be out of control, he remains in command.
Trusting Jesus In The Middle Of Storms
How can we take proactive efforts to trust God in the midst of the storms that are now raging in our lives?It is possible to develop in our connection with God in a variety of ways, all of which will assist us in increasing our confidence and trust in God through times of difficulty.Scripture memorization can assist us in recalling God’s promises to us.The disciples had forgotten what Jesus had said to them; He had told them they were going to cross to the other side, but they had forgotten since they were in the thick of a storm.
We don’t want to lose sight of the words God has spoken to us.Keep His Word close to your heart.Identify Bible chapters and verses that appeal to you and encourage you, so that when you need to remember what God is trying to communicate with you, you will be able to recall them.The practice of spending time with God and in his word should be something we do on a daily basis; his word will provide us with strength and insight for each day.Like any other connection you may have, you will need to put in the necessary time and effort to strengthen and expand your business relationship.In any aspect of life, having a discussion can help you to strengthen your bonds with others, and this includes your connection with God.
Prayer, sitting still, and reading the Bible are all part of having a dialogue with God.When you pray, you are communicating with God and presenting him with your requests and appreciation for his blessings.Exercising your faith in God begins with praying and placing your confidence in God for your everyday needs, no matter how insignificant.It is incredible to pray and witness God move in miraculous ways.He would, on the other hand, retire to deserted locations and pray.
- 5:16 (Luke 5:16) Your connection with God will be strengthened just by spending time in his word.
- Scripture is God’s verbally inspired communication to man.
- It’s possible that we’ll never be able to hear God’s voice while we’re seeking for a solution in life, but we may read what God has to say and be comforted by his words through the written word.
- We can learn and develop in our confidence in God via this text, just as we may with this tale.
- Given what Jesus accomplished for his followers during a storm, we may be more confidence that God will operate in miraculous ways in our lives as well after reading the story.
- The fact that Jesus calms the storm in the New Testament serves as a reminder to us today that God is also with us while we are in the midst of life’s storms.
- Today, as followers of Christ, we should make an effort to spend time with God, to deepen our connection with Him, and to place our confidence in Him.
Jesus Calms the Storm – Bible Story
The symbolism underlying the narrative of Jesus calming the storm should serve as a source of great encouragement and hope for anybody who is enduring a storm in their lives.After speaking to huge crowds near the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and his apostles boarded a boat and sailed to the opposite bank, where they were able to enjoy some peace and quiet to rest and recuperate.As they made their way across the sea, they were caught in a storm with winds so strong that the apostles feared they would perish.Jesus had been sleeping below deck during the storm, and the apostles raced to wake him and question him about why he seemed to be unconcerned.
When Jesus awoke, he instructed the storm to be quiet, and the winds instantly stopped.The apostles were taken aback and still lacked trust that Jesus was the Son of God, who ″even the winds and the waves follow,″ as the Bible says.
Jesus Calms a Storm
And as soon as he climbed into the boat, his followers jumped in after him.A big storm broke out on the sea, and the boat was being flooded by waves; nonetheless, he was sound sleeping in his boat.And they went and roused him up, crying out, ″Lord, save us; we are on the verge of perishing.″ Afterwards, Jesus addressed them, saying, ″Why are you scared, O you of little faith?″ There was an incredible quiet once Jesus got to his feet and rebuked the winds as well as the waters.And the men were taken aback, exclaiming, ″What kind of guy is he, that even the winds and the waves bow to him?″ (8:23-27; Matthew 8:23-27)
Meaning of Jesus Calming the Storm
Another indication that the Lord is the Messiah and that He is divine is His control over creation.God is the only one who has the authority to issue commands to the sea and waves (Job 38:8-11, Psalm 65:5-6).Jesus was sleeping because, as a human being, He need rest.In His human form, He adopted all of the normal functions of the body, including sleep, which is one among them.
Aboard traditional Christian imagery, the picture of Christ and His disciples in a boat is used to represent the Church.Storms are permitted by God, and God delivers us through them so that we might perceive His protection more clearly, according to the Bible.Christ’s rebuke of the storm serves as a symbol of His ability to quiet the tempests that exist in the human heart.See how Jesus calmed the storm in the Bible passages below and discover more about how Jesus can quiet the storms in your life right now.You’ll also discover associated articles, films, and audio sermons to aid you in your knowledge of this Biblical tale as well.Photograph courtesy of Pexels/Johannes Plenio.
Jesus walking on water – Wikipedia
It is represented as one of the miracles of Jesus that are reported in the New Testament, in which he is shown walking on water or on the sea.This occurrence is mentioned in three of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and John, although it is not mentioned in the Gospel of Luke.It is said in this account that Jesus sent his followers back to the ″other side″ (the western side) of the Sea of Galilee after performing the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, but he himself remained behind to pray.Because of a wind storm, the ship was forced to anchor and the waters rose up with it.
After spending the most of the night rowing against the wind, the disciples were surprised to see Jesus walking on the water.They were terrified because they believed they were seeing a spirit, but when Jesus urged them not to be afraid, they felt relieved.After Jesus boarded the ship, the wind died down, and they were able to land safely.
Biblical narratives
The story of Jesus walking on water is retold in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John; it is not in the Gospel of Luke.This episode is narrated towards the end of the Ministry of Jesus in Galilee before the key turning points halfway through the gospel narratives where Peter proclaimed Jesus as Christ and saw the Transfiguration.In all three gospels it follows the feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus had withdrawn by ship to a desert place ″belonging to″ Bethsaida after hearing of the death of John the Baptist, but was followed by the crowds who travelled on foot.At the end of the evening, the disciples boarded a ship to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, without Jesus who went up the mountain to pray alone.
John alone specifies they were headed ″toward Capernaum″.During the journey on the sea, the disciples were distressed by wind and waves, but saw Jesus walking towards them on the sea.John’s Gospel specifies that they were five or six kilometers away from their departure point.The disciples were startled to see Jesus, but he told them not to be afraid.Matthew’s account adds that Peter asked Jesus, ″if it is you″, to tell him, or command him, to come to Jesus on the water (waters) (waters).After Peter came down out of the ship and walked on the water, he became afraid of the storm and began to sink.
He called out to Jesus for help.Jesus caught him, and commenting on his lack of faith led him back to the ship, whereupon the storm stopped.Matthew also notes that the disciples called Jesus the Son of God.The fact that the John account also lacks this detail suggests that this account of ″St.Peter’s venture″ is a redactional addition by Matthew.
- In all three accounts, after Jesus got into the ship, the wind ceased and they reached the shore.
- Only John’s account has their ship immediately reach the shore.
- Matthew’s and Mark’s accounts end at this point, but John mentions that the next day some people from the other side of the sea that looked for Jesus, noted that the disciples left without him, but they didn’t know where he went.
- When they came to Capernaum and asked Jesus how he came there, instead of answering the question, he told the crowd that they followed him, not because they had seen signs, but because of the free loaves they had eaten the day before, and he advised them not to seek earthly gains, but aim for a life based on higher spiritual values.
Gospel of Mark (c. 66–70 AD)
6:45 Right away, Jesus ordered his followers to board the boat and accompany him across to Bethsaida, while he himself escorted the large crowd away from the shoreline.46 And after he had said his goodbyes to them, he went up to the mountaintop to pray there.The boat was still in the middle of the water when evening came, and he was all alone on the shore.48 And, seeing them distressed in their rowing because the wind was blowing against them, he comes unto them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them; 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost, and they cried out; 50 for they had all seen him and were troubled together.
Nevertheless, Jesus immediately interacted with them and told them, ″Be of good cheer: it is I; do not be scared.″ 51 And he went up to them in the boat, and the wind stopped, and they were very surprised at themselves; 52 for they did not understand what was going on with the loaves, for their hearts had become hard.53 And after they had gone over, they arrived at the country of Gennesaret, where they anchored their ship to the beach.
Gospel of Matthew (c. 80–90 AD)
14:22 And he immediately compelled the disciples to get into the boat with him and accompany him to the other side, where he would then send the crowds away on their own initiative.When he had driven the crowds away, he walked up to the mountain by himself to pray, and when evening came, he was still there by himself.24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, being battered by the waves since the wind was blowing in the opposite direction.Moreover, Jesus came to them during the fourth watch of the night while walking on the water.
The disciples were alarmed when they saw him walking on the water, believing it to be a ghost.They screamed in terror and called out for help.27 But immediately after, Jesus addressed them, saying, ″Do not be alarmed; it is I; do not be frightened.″ 28 Peter said, ″Lord, if it is you, command me to come unto thee upon the waves,″ 28 saying.29 And he invited them in.And Peter got out of the boat and walked across the sea to be closer to Christ.When he realized what was happening, he became terrified and began to sink.
He screamed out to the Lord, saying, ″Lord, help me.″ And instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him by the shoulders and said to him, ″O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou hesitate?″ Afterwards, the wind stopped blowing when they were safely aboard the boat.33 And they who were in the boat prostrated themselves before him, proclaiming, ″Truly, thou art the Son of God.″ 34 Then, when they had crossed the river, they arrived on the land, at the city of Gennesaret.
Gospel of John (c. 90–100 AD)
6:15 As a result, when Jesus saw that they were ready to come and seize him by force in order to declare him king, he withdrew himself once again into the mountain by himself.As darkness approached, his disciples descended to the sea; 17 and they boarded a boat, intending to go over the sea to the town of Capernaum.And it was now dark, and Jesus had not yet arrived to meet them in their situation.18 And the sea was rising as a result of the strong wind that was blowing.
19 After they had rowed for about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they saw Jesus walking on the water and getting near to the boat, and they were terrified as they approached him.20 But he assures them, ″It is I; do not be alarmed.″ 21 As a result, they were prepared to accept him inside the boat, and the boat arrived at the destination place almost immediately.BibleGateway provides a comparison in different translations.
Interpretations
Amédée Varint’s painting ″Christ Walking on the Sea″
Christian teachings
Because of the perceived impact it had on the formation of Christian ecumenical creeds, as discussed further below, the episode of Jesus’ walking on the sea has specific interpretations within Christian teachings.The episode of Jesus walking on the sea has been viewed as significant by scholars because of its perceived impact on the formation of Christian ecumenical creeds.An important part of the passage’s pericope (introduction) is how it emphasizes the relationship between Jesus and his apostles.According to Merrill Tenney, the occurrence is primarily focused on that component of the story rather than their peril or the miracle in and of itself.
In their opinion, this miracle was purposefully performed by Jesus in order to train his apostles and raise their faith.Dwight Pentecost and John Danilson believe that this miracle was performed by Jesus in order to instruct and increase their faith.A typical term in Matthew (e.g., 8:26 when calming the storm or 16:8 when discussing food and the Pharisees shortly before the Confession of Peter) that might be translated as ″of little faith″ by David Cook and Craig Evans is ″of no faith.″ According to Richard Cassidy, this episode sheds special light on the position of Peter, who had faith in Jesus and acknowledged Jesus’ extraordinary powers, and who, by considering to walk on water himself, desired to share in Jesus’ act before the other disciples because he considered himself to be the closest to Jesus.Cook and Evans point out that Peter’s ″Lord save me″ scream, which is comparable to Matthew 8:25 and Mark 4:38 in the calming of the storm narrative, highlights the disciples’ reliance on Jesus once more.Also in agreement with Pentecost’s interpretation, Cook and Evans believe that the details of ″many stadia distant″ and ″battered by the waves″ were included to underline that Jesus could walk on the water far away from the shore and on a turbulent sea, thereby showing his control over nature.R.T.
France has also pointed out that the facts about the boat being a considerable distance from the beach, as well as the depiction of Peter sinking, are intended to provide as evidence of the depth of the sea.Scholars such as Ulrich Luz and, more recently, Dale Allison have argued that the pericope was crucial in establishing the divinity of Jesus within the early Christian community.According to Alan Robinson, the pericope is critical in establishing the conviction in the early Church that the disciples regarded Jesus as the Son of God, which was a belief that the disciples shared.It is unquestionably the case, according to Dale Allison, that Matthew’s account stresses that God the Father is ready to share divine authority with his son, and that this pericope has had an indisputable influence on the affirmation of Jesus’ divinity in the various ecumenical creeds.
Historical-critical analysis
Jesus walking on water on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in Israel, according to the Bible.Manuscript written in Armenian.The Gospel of Daniel of Uranc was written around 1433.According to scholars who believe that the narrative is based on true occurrences, Jesus, as the Son of God, was above the rules of nature; alternatively, in a variant, Jesus projected a picture of himself while actually remaining on the shore; and Because of its miraculous character, it is believed that the episode’s significance is inherent in it: ″The meaning of the pericope (story) has meaning only if it is considered to be reporting an actual miraculous occurrence that took occurred″ (Leopold Sabourin, 1975).
According to recent scholarship, Bart Ehrman has championed the view that, in general, it is impossible to either prove or disprove supernatural events such as miracles using the historical method, because proving them would require belief in a supernatural world that is not amenable to historical analysis, and disproving them would necessitate historical evidence that is typically difficult to obtain.According to Catholic historian John P.Meier, the miraculous walk on water is a purely theological myth that has no factual basis in the gospel accounts.It is believed that oral tradition is intermingled with references to the Old Testament (Jesus’ response ″I am″ is consistent with the Early Church’s conception of Jesus as Yahweh) and perceptions of the resurrection, according to Meier.The narrative portion of the novel, in particular, appears to fall under the apocalyptic genre, which is defined as a genre marked by an emphasis on symbolism and light-shadow contrasts, among other characteristics.When Jesus first gathers the Apostles in a boat, he sends them out alone, promising that they will meet them on the other side of the ″sea.″ The apostles have difficulties reaching the opposite shore, but Jesus emerges and all is fine.
Following Easter, Meier suggests that this is a metaphor for the Early Church: Jesus departs from his followers with the ascension, vowing to return, but periodically sees them along the way to encourage and assist them (through the Eucharist).His purpose, like with all apocalyptic writing, is to provide solace to a people in need.Although this occurrence occurred, some experts believe that it was not miraculous in nature.They argue that One theory put forth by Albert Schweitzer, for example, is that the disciples saw Jesus walking on the shore but were misled by the strong wind and darkness; some scholars who accept this ″misperception thesis″ contend that Mark originally wrote that Jesus walked along shore rather than on the water, and that John had a more accurate version.Alternatively, some have argued that the entire scenario is a ″pious tale″ (B.H.
- Branscomb, 1937), maybe based on a long-forgotten experience; for example, some have suggested that Jesus swam into the waves (Vincent Taylor, 1957), or that he walked on a sand bar (Sherman Johnson, 1972, J.D.M.
- Derrett, 1981).
- Finally, there are many researchers who believe that the narrative is an example of ″creative symbolism,″ or myth, which was presumably comprehended literally by a portion of the audience and allegorically by the rest of the audience.
- Rudolf Bultmann pointed out that the concept of sea walking is one that is recognizable to people from many different civilizations.
- Moreover, while the motif of walking on water was associated with kings such as Xerxes or Alexander, it was also rejected and satirized as being humanly impossible and as a proverbial symbol for the arrogance of rulers by Menander, Dio Chrysostom, or in 2 Maccabees 5:21.
- Others believe that the motif has its origins in the mythic world of the Old Testament itself (Christ’s victory over the waters paralleling Ya God grants authority over the sea in the Hebrew Bible, for example, to Moses (Ex 14:21–29) or to Elijah (Isa 40:1–4).
- (2 kg 2:8).
- Adela Yarbro Collins comes to the conclusion that the text portrays Jesus as the Messiah and ruler of Israel who has been gifted with divine attributes.
Literary-critical analysis
The naturalistic answers, as well as the conventional and historical critical viewpoints, are dismissed by biblical scholar George W.Young, among others.He argues that these approaches of exegesis focus on factual readings and fail to capture the whole meaning of the text as a result of the text’s structural organization.Instead, Young uses literary-critical tools to investigate the pericope as a work of narrative art.
Young considers the book to be fiction, and he analyzes it using methods and words that are commonly connected with fantastic literature.Young interprets the pericope as the expression of three entangled, conflicting perspectives on reality: I the ″conventional reality″ based on sensory perception; (ii) the ″impossible″ vision of Jesus that results in the astonishment of the observers; and (iii) the narrator’s metaphysical comment in Mark 6:52 identifying Jesus as the Son of God.Young is a professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley.
See also
- Life of Jesus in the New Testament
Notes
- A b c d e a b c d e The Life and Ministry of Jesus: The Gospels by Douglas Redford 2007 ISBN 0-7847-1900-4 pages 189–207
- Greek: ta hydata is plural, see Englishman’s Concordance
- Luke 9:10
- John 6:17
- The Life and Ministry of Jesus: The Gospels by Douglas Redford 2007 ISBN 0-7847-1900-4 pages 189–207
- In Rachel Nicholls’ Walking on the Water: Reading Matthew 14:22–33 in the Light of Its Wirkungsgeschichte (BRILL, 2008), page 45, she writes, ″Mt. 14:22–33 is a passage about walking on water.″ Jack Dean Kingsbury, Mark Allan Powell, and David R. Bauer published a novel in 1999. Who do you think I am? : essays on Christology, Westminster John Knox Press Tenney, Merrill Chapin (1997), John: Gospel of Belief, Eerdmans, ISBN 0-8028-4351-4, page 114
- a b J. Dwight Pentecost
- John Danilson (photography) (2007), John: Gospel of Belief, John Knox Press, ISBN 978-0664257521
- a b Bruner, Frederick Dale (2004), Matthew: The Churchbook, Matthew 13–28, Eerdmans, ISBN (2000). Jesus Christ’s teachings and deeds are seen as authoritative. Zondervan Publishing House, pp. 234–235, ISBN 0-310-30940-9.
- a b c Cook, David C.
- Evans, Craig A. (2003) Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: Matthew-Luke, ISBN 0-7814-3868-3, p. 303
- Cassidy, Richard J. (2007) Four Times Peter: Portrayals of Peter in the Four Gospels and at Philippi, ISBN 0-8146-5178-X, p. 70–73
- France, R. T. (2007) Four Times Peter: Portrayals of Peter in the Four (2007). Matthew’s Gospel is a collection of stories about Jesus’ life and teachings. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan (p. 567). ISBN 978-0-8028-2501-8.
- Robinson, Alan (2001). (2005) Allison, Dale C. (2005) Matthew: A Shorter Commentary, ISBN 1-898595-46-1, p. 35–36
- Allison, Dale C. (2005) Matthew: A Shorter Commentary, ISBN 1-898595-46-1, p. 35–36
- Allison, Dale C. (2005) Matthew: A Shorter Commentary, ISBN 1-898595-46-1, p. 35–36
- Allison, Dale C. (2005) Matthew: A Shorter Commentary, ISBN In Young (1999), pp. 2–3
- Ehrman, Bart D. (2008)A Brief Introduction to the New Testament, ISBN 0-19-536934-3, p. 141
- Meier, John P. (2010)A Brief Introduction to the New Testament. A&C Black. ISBN 0-567-08249-0. (1991). Mentorship, a message, and miracles for a marginal Jew young (1999), pages 8–9
- young (1999), pages 9–10 link
- young (1999), p. 10
- young (1999), page link
- Adela Yarbro Collins: Mark, I’d want to add a comment. Young 1999, pages. 12–15
- Young 1999, pp. 16–17
- Young 1999, pp. 1–6, 23
- Young 1999, pp. 112–145, 149ff., 157f., 181–184
- Young 1999, pp. 1–6, 23
- Young 1999, pp. 112–145, 149ff., 157f., 181–184
- Young 1999, pp. 1–6, 23
- Young 1999, pp.
Bibliography
- J. Dwight Pentecost is the author of this work (1981). Jesus Christ’s teachings and deeds are seen as authoritative. Witherington, Ben
- Zondervan, ISBN 0-310-30940-9
- Witherington, Ben (2001). Commentary on the Gospel of Mark from the perspective of socio-rhetorical analysis Young, George W., Erdmans, ISBN 978-0802845030, Erdmans, ISBN 978-0802845030
- Erdmans, ISBN 978-0802845030 (1999). A Study of Subversive Symmetry in Mark 6:45-56: Exploring the Fantastic ISBN 90-04-11428-9
- published by Brill.
Calming the storm (Mark 4: 35–41) – The identity of Jesus – CCEA – GCSE Religious Studies Revision – CCEA
- Mark was present at several pivotal episodes in Jesus’ life and was a firsthand witness to them. From the beginning, he refers to him as the Son of God
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- Nature has performed a miracle by bringing the storm to a halt.
- Several academics have concluded that Mark’s tale contains a great deal of particular information, leading them to infer that it was written by an eyewitness.
- In his journal, Mark mentions that there were other boats on the lake.
- We are reminded that Jesus is the Son of God in this tale because God is seen to have authority over the weather, which serves as a powerful reminder.
- Considering Lake Galilee’s geographical location, it was normal for storms to develop swiftly.
Four of the disciples were experienced fisherman, so they were probably used to dealing with unexpected situations.If the disciples were alarmed, it was clear that the storm had been extremely frightening for them.Jesus was sleeping with his head resting on a pillow, according to Mark.Some academics see this as a sign of his faith in God, as he was able to sleep soundly despite the storm roaring outside his window.
It was the disciples who roused Jesus from his sleep, fearful for their own life.The disciples demonstrate a lack of trust when they ask Jesus, ″Don’t you care that we are on the verge of drowning?″ ″Be quiet, be calm,″ Jesus said as he rose to his feet and ordered the wind and waves to stop.As he did so, the atmosphere was completely serene.With amazement and wonder in their eyes, the disciples questioned one another, ″Who is this man?″ at the conclusion of the miracle.″Even the wind and the waves bow down to his will!″
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When In The Midst Of A Spiritual Storm: Praise, Pray, And Persevere: Barlow, BA Dianne E.: 9781462401741: Amazon.com: Books
- Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a physical or spiritual storm?
- They are, after all, very similar.
- When there are black clouds, thunder and lightning, and the sun refuses to shine, this is what is called a physical storm.
- Along with that, there is rain, and I mean a lot of rain, and then even more rain.
- A spiritual storm has certain features with a natural storm.
The most immediately noticeable change is that the physical storm has passed rather quickly.It is possible that one will have to endure a spiritual tempest for a longer period of time.It will not be over until God declares it to be so.In this season, we must give thanks, pray, and continue in our faith.
This is the only manner in which we will be able to survive the next hurricane.Pray, praise, and persevere when you are in the midst of a spiritual storm.These actions will help to open our brains to the spirituality of God’s work.When we go through these storms, God is performing a wonderful thing in us, and he is raising us to a higher degree of intimacy with him.A number of the numerous storms that the author has had to suffer, as well those of certain biblical characters and others with whom she has come into touch, are depicted by the author.
In some of these storms, the author ensures that you will be able to see yourself or individuals who are near to you, as described by him.You will also be able to witness firsthand how storms may be handled with God’s guidance.There are several challenges to overcome when dealing with storms, as well as numerous spiritual disciplines that we must learn.
It is my hope that we may all benefit from this newfound understanding.
Stay Calm in the Storm
- When the stress storm arrives on Monday, just ride it out and carry on throughout the rest of the day and week.
- Stress is an unavoidable aspect of every person’s existence.
- We can, on the other hand, become specialists in its management.
- Stress may have an impact on us at any level.
- It triggers our bodies to enter a ″fight or flight″ state, which is meant to defend us only in life-threatening situations, such as combat.
The neurological, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems are signaled by the brain to prepare for the task of making fast judgments.The heart beats faster in order to supply more blood to the muscles, breathing becomes more rapid in order to bring more oxygen into the body, and adrenaline stimulates the release of additional energy.Nevertheless, in modern culture, all of these physiological reactions may be brought on by any type of stress, whether it be traffic, a hectic day at work, or simply reading the news.The ability to entirely remove everyday stress may not be within our grasp, but we do have the ability to re-calibrate ourselves by following a few simple guidelines.
Here’s what you can do to maintain your composure and cope with stress: Take a deep breath.Deep breathing should be initiated at the first indication of tension.It is possible to do deep breathing techniques even when you are in the midst of a stressful scenario, which will help to reduce your heart rate and drop your blood pressure.When you take a deep breath, you should feel the air fill your lungs and stomach.Exhale more slowly than you intake to ensure proper breathing technique.
Stress levels can be reduced by concentrating on your breathing and repeating a mantra or phrase, such as ″breathe in, breathe out,″ over and over again.Take a step back.Putting the source of your stress into context will allow you to see it more objectively in the future.
If you take a step back and look at the broader picture, the stressor may not be as awful as you initially believed.It’s a good method to put your stress into a broader framework and understand it better.Discover Your Flow.Finding your flow, often known as ″going into the zone,″ will assist you in concentrating on the activity at hand.You are not have to be engaged in a physical activity in order to achieve flow, but the same tactics will assist you in blocking out unpleasant distractions and being productive.Never forget that the only thing you have control over in the middle of turmoil is your own reaction to it.
- Don’t let stress take control of your life on Monday.
- Maintain your composure and carry on!
- Join us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for more interesting and informative stress-relieving advice and resources.