The Stilling Of the Storm: In My View

Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25.

In my view, the significance of this miracle of nature as presented by Matthews lies in the theological teachings (which as acts of the "King of the Jews"), it contains. Like the healing miracles, they can probably be best understood against the background of the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament, the restless sea is treated as the symbol of the troubled and sinful world. The power of God is supremely demonstrated through Jesus by His authority and rule over the wind and the waves. The author is attempting to say to his Jewish readers that they should put their faith in the Son of God, as the One who fulfills God's promises to them; that Jesus is the Messiah and hope of Israel. Israel therefore should become disciples and stay faithful in the knowledge that He will deliver, rule and guide His people.

The scene in the boat as it begins to sail is one of Mark's portrayals of Jesus' humanity and those qualities that caused men to recognize Him as Savior of the world. The storm on the lake gives the picture of the trials and dangers of Jesus' own life during this era. Mark illustrates the Servant's weariness and need for rest.

There may also be some implicit message in the story for the church universal. Tertullian is often quoted as saying:

"That little ship presented a figure of the Church, in that she is disquieted by the sea, that is, in the world, by the waves, that is, by persecutions and temptations, the Lord patiently sleeping, as it were, until, roused at last by the prayers of the saints, He checks the world and restores tranquility to His own."

The Lukan periscope manifests Jesus in His majestic power, as a miracle worker commanding obedience of the natural elements. The emphasis is not so much on Jesus' spoken words as it is the power of His word. Jesus is depicted in action, being used to bring deliverance and protection to His own disciples. The Christology of the "stilling of the storm" is obvious: Jesus delivers.

The disciples were in the same boat with Jesus. In all the difficulties and dangers of the Christian life, during the whole journey upon the waves, often agitated by the storms of life, we are always in the same boat with Jesus, if we are obedient to His will. It may seem to us that He is sleeping; nevertheless, if our Redeemer allows the tempest to rise and our faith gives way to our fears, we shall not perish since we are with Him in the storm. Christ Jesus' security is our own. Come what may, we shall not perish as long as we don't jump ship.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, will be available soon.

---

The Stilling Of the Storm: In My View

Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25.In my view, the significance... Read More

Jesus is Lord: Lets Stop Usurping His Roles

In five words Paul enunciates the basic principle of the... Read More

Pagan Religions Taught In Public Schools

In classrooms throughout the country, Judeo-Christian beliefs are often cast... Read More

The New Heaven And New Earth

Now that Satan, all of his fallen angels and all... Read More

Freedom of Religion

We were all taught in school that our forefathers left... Read More

Falsehoods

There are many different church denominations in this year of... Read More

L. Ron Hubbard, Jr. Blows the Whistle

L. Ron Hubbard, Jr. Blows the WhistleWhen L. Ron Hubbard... Read More

Following Instructions To The Letter

The dictionary explains wisdom as having good judgement, understanding, comprehension... Read More

Jesus as the Rose of Sharon

The words "rose of Sharon" comes out of the Old... Read More

Helping Others - What Did Jesus Say?

Helping others was something Jesus did on a daily basis.... Read More

Judgement Day

For it is written in Matthew 12:36 But I tell... Read More

6 Keys to Successfully Screening Church Staff and Volunteers

Whether you are in the process of formulating a screening... Read More

Preachers In America Will Cause Americas Demise

American Preachers Are At The Forefront Of The Travesties Committed... Read More

Is God Prejudiced?

The first thing I would like to do is give... Read More

Straight Talk about Homosexuality

In the mid 90's, a Presbyterian minister named Steve Brown... Read More

Amos and Social Justice - Part 1

Amos was a shepherd who lived in the region of... Read More

7 Bowl Judgements

There is now one more set of 7 judgments God... Read More

The Coming War with Russia

The Coming World War III [with Russia]In my book, "The... Read More

Christian Unity according to Internet

Following are 30 questions that relate to Christian Unity that... Read More

Do Not Believe All You Read In The Holy Books

Observation shows that human creative activity has a physical, a... Read More

Where is God?

Where is God? This is the question most often heard... Read More

How to Handle Negative Feelings When Wronged by Someone Else

How does a Christian really handle negative feelings and emotions... Read More

Is It Good For Man Not To Marry?

Are we doing what the word of God say to... Read More

Planetary Alignment

Planetary Alignment is said to have magical powers. Some believe... Read More

Truth, Justice and the American Way to Boil a Frog

Using a good tool over and over doesn't make it... Read More

Homo-sexuality and Christianity

Romans 1:16-1:32. Can there be a compromise between the two:... Read More

Jesus as a Philosopher

Why does every one believe that Jesus is the son... Read More

Slaves Songs and Freedom

It may seem trite and naïve to suggest we can... Read More

The Christmas Victory

As the Chritmas season approaches, I figured it's a good... Read More

The Power of Love

There is no doubt in my mind that the quality... Read More

The Big Bang Theory - Evidence Start of Cosmos and Human Evolution

What is The Big Bang Theory! What do we mean... Read More

What Is The Most Important Righteous Requirement Of Gods Law?

To live "under the law" is to live under the... Read More

What Is True Egalitarianism?

Why did the founding fathers of the United States consider... Read More