Scripture references: Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20;
Luke 8:26-39

The above Scriptures all relate the same incident concerning Jesus and His disciples. Jesus and His disciples are in Capernaum at this time. Jesus had healed the centurion’s son by just speaking the word (Matthew 8:5-13) and then they journeyed to the Apostle Peter’s mother-in-law’s house. Peter’s wife’s mother was sick with a fever and Jesus healed her
(verses 14,15) and then many came to Jesus there to be healed of sickness and delivered from devils, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah in 53:4 – “He took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”

Matthew 8:18, the multitudes were surrounding Jesus and His disciples and Jesus felt the need for a time of quietness, so He told His disciples to “depart to the other side,” meaning the other side of the sea of Galilee. And I believe that in addition to the need to have respite from the pressing crowds, Jesus knew there was a great need on the other side.

So the disciples did just that – they got into their boat and Jesus followed them into it. It doesn’t tell us how far they were out onto the water before the storm hit, but far enough from the shore that they felt they might perish in the storm. The waves were covering
the ship. Can we relate to this in our present lives?

Have you ever felt that Jesus has told you to do something and in the midst of following His instructions, trials seem to overtake you? Surely Jesus knew a storm was brewing when He told the disciples to launch out into the deep. And not only did He tell them to take the boat out when a storm was brewing, He seemed to be oblivious to the storm around them.
They found Him sleeping in the boat. Jesus had what we call peace in the midst of the storm! The disciples were frantic and they awoke Him, saying “Save us – we’re perishing!” Jesus arose, but before rebuking the storm, He took time to ask them why they were fearful and had such weak faith. I can relate to them. The “waves of life” feel overpowering sometimes and all I see is water that is going to drown me. But when I cry out to Jesus for help, He calms the “storm,” just as He did for the disciples that night.

Why would Jesus send them out into a treacherous storm? As we read on, we see that there was a need on the other side of the lake. The country of the Gergesenes was on the other side of the Sea of Galilee from Capernaum – possibly 7 to 10 miles they had to travel across the water. When the storm obeyed the rebuke of the Master, they continued to the other side, and possibly landed at a place called Hippos in the country of the Gergesenes. In verse 28 they got out of the boat and immediately they were met by two men who were possessed with devils. They were violent men and not in their right minds. Immediately the devils recognized Jesus, the Son of God, and knew that their doom was imminent. All
Jesus had to say to them is “Go,” and they went – into a herd of swine and perished in the waters of the Sea of Galilee. The swine keepers were terrified and went into the city and told what had happened. When the people heard the account of the swine keeper, the
whole city came out to beg Jesus to leave. How often do we miss the miracles happening around us because we are fearful and unbelieving? Or because we don’t search for the whole story and just take the word of someone else?

In another passage, in Matthew (14:22-33), Jesus had just ministered to the multitude and fed the 5,000. He persuaded His disciples to get into the ship and precede Him to the other side while He stayed behind to send the multitude away and to spend some time alone in prayer. Again, the disciples obeyed and again they ran into a terrific wind storm out on the
water. This time Jesus was not in the ship with them. Yep, I am pretty sure Jesus knew that the storm was out there before He told them to go. But I am also sure that He knew that He had it all under control and that all would be well with them. Before they were overtaken by the waves, He came walking to them on the water. And He spoke words of comfort and faith to them: “Be not afraid – it is I.” Isn’t that all we need to hear when we feel our faith slipping – “Don’t be afraid – it is I – I’m here to save you and lift you up above the waves.” Peter, always the exuberant one, asked to walk on the water also, and when Jesus said “Come,” Peter didn’t hesitate to do as Jesus commanded. His one mistake was in taking His eyes off of Jesus. Many times that is our mistake as well. It is so important to keep our eyes on Jesus – and His Word. Jesus is the Living Word and we can trust Him in all circumstances. Take note that the storm did not cease this time UNTIL Jesus had entered the boat. We need Him in our “boat” at all times. Just as on their previous trip to this region, there was a need when they landed on the other side in the land of Gennesaret. This time they received a different reception. The people welcomed Jesus and brought the sick to be healed; some were healed by just touching the hem of His garment. But be assured, if
Jesus tells you to “go” there will always be a need to be met when you get to your destination.

What you and I can take away from these two incidents is that we need to pursue the course that Jesus is leading us on, regardless of the trials of life that try to stop us. Press on and the trials will be pushed aside by our Helper who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. We need to keep the goal in sight through our spiritual eyes and keep our hearts set on ministering the love of Jesus and the deliverance that comes through Him to those who are
bound by the enemy of our souls.

He speaks “Peace, be still” to us whenever the waves get too high. Trust Him – He never fails. Corrie ten Boom said often, “Jesus is Victor.”

As the hymn says, “Where He leads me I will follow, where He leads me I will follow, where He leads me I will follow; I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.”