Matthew 8: 26
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
The disciples believed they were all about to die. They would drown in the sea. I am not sure what Jesus expected from his disciples in this situation. After all, he was fast asleep in the boat, and it would have been foolish for the disciples to just sit in their seats until they were tossed into the waves. They did wake him up to help them. Maybe it was the frantic look of impending death on their faces that irritated Jesus. In any event, Jesus was able to turn that fear around. How could the disciples have any doubt left after that incident? If I believe the account to be true, how can I have any doubt as to the power of Jesus in my life and in the world?
Father God, thank you for your Word- for giving us so much to hold on to when doubt creeps in. You can save me, you have saved me. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 8: 26 And he said to them, Why are you afraid, O you of little faith. Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. It is not the storm itself, but the disciples' fear of the storm. That fear is based on our human belief that any storm that may come over us would leave us with no control. If we are true believers we know there is nothing to fear. Even when we experience storms. When I react with fear and doubt it has the power to threaten my faith. God calmed the raging sea with just one word. I am in God’s word each and every day, even when the s…
Matthew 8:26. Jesus responded, why are you afraid. You have so little faith! Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. There they were in the middle of a storm. Some of them were sailors and fishermen. It probably wasn’t the first time, but they doubted their own skills. But they didn’t doubt Jesus. Yes, he did calm the storm, but he did scold them about their faith. He was preparing them for what was ahead and at this point some of them began to question just who was this man, Jesus. Prayer, Gracious God, May I always remember you can help me calm the storms of life. Amen
Matthew 8:26 - Only God has the kind of power over nature demonstrated by Jesus during that storm and this story is used by Matthew to emphasize to the readers and hearers of his gospel that Jesus is the Son of God. Ironically, while going through the actual experience, the disciples remained frightened and confused. “Who is this?,” they ask. Are we any different today? Even as Jesus calms the storms of our lives, as people of faith, we fail to see His presence, doubt His power and needlessly dwell in fear. Storms will rage, but Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will help us through. Can we overcome our doubt enough to embrace that promise?
Prayer - Jesus, our help…
Matthew 8: 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
I feel I would have had the same reaction as the disciples in this situation. Fear for my life would have made me react like they did at that time. Doubt in things that I cannot see or understand is something I battle with. Maybe it’s the controlling part of me that interferes or perhaps my faith is not as strong as I think it is. I continue to work on both of these shortcomings.
Dearest Lord, you know when I doubt. Send me the Holy Spirit to help m…