Matthew 8: Setting Things Right (5)
Pray Psalm 29.1, 2.
Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones,
Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Sing Psalm 29.1, 2.
Toulon: I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art
Give praise to God, you children of the earth!
Tell of His strength, proclaim His glorious worth!
Give to the LORD the glory due His Name!
Worship in holiness; His grace proclaim!
Read Matthew 8.1-27; meditate on verse 23-27.
What does “little faith” look like?
Prepare.
1. How did Jesus still the wind and the sea?
2. How did the disciples respond to this?
Meditate.Psalm 29 is one of my favorites. In this brief psalm, the word LORD appears 18 times. 18 times in 11 verses! You think David may have been trying to emphasize something? Or perhaps to set us up for something?
And when Jesus speaks to the wind and seas, and they obey His voice, do you suppose those disciples might have thought of Psalm 29?
What is the answer to the disciples’ question in verse 27, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” He is the LORD. That is to say, Jesus is the LORD!
This is what Matthew does over and over. He makes it very clear that Jesus fulfills Old Testament predictions, descriptions, types, and expectations for the coming of the LORD. And he minces no words and makes no bones about it: Jesus is the LORD. He is the Master of winds and seas and everything else. So if you choose to follow Him, know that the power of Jesus’ Word can calm the winds and still the seas, just as surely as it can transform your soul.
Jesus rebuked His disciples. They had enough faith to turn to Him for help, calling Him “Lord”; but they didn’t have enough faith not to fear perishing. He welcomed their petition, but rebuked their fear. Fear is a natural response to certain kinds of situations; but for the believer, we need not fear that we might perish. We who believe in Jesus will not perish, but have everlasting life (Jn. 3.16). The security and safety that come from knowing this must keep all our fears in a proper perspective, so that even as we fear, we know where to confidently turn for the Word that calms even raging seas.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him” (Matt. 8.2).
These are they who had just agreed to leave comfortable accommodations and financial security to follow Jesus, and the second trouble arose, they panicked. We can empathize.
Dear Jesus had talked them through this (Matt. 8.18-22), and now He was showing them how to actually do it. They were experiencing what following Jesus would be like. Caveat emptor.
Jesus had told them that He had no earthly home; and He showed them that anyplace can become home—even tempestuous seas.
Jesus showed them that He could sleep amidst a raging storm; and that His calming Presence abounded within the storm or without (Matt. 8.24, 26). His circumstances had nothing to do with His experienced peace. This is how He wants us to view our lives, our circumstances, and our tumultuous storms.
Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Matt. 8.27).
It is Jesus. Our LORD and Savior.
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,
measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure?
Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” (Is. 40.12).
“Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His Name, and what is His Son’s Name, if you know?” (Prov. 30.4).
It is Jesus.
“They see the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep.
For He commands and raises the stormy wind,
which lifts up the waves of the sea.
They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths…
Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and
He brings them out of their distresses.
He calms the storm, so that its waves are still.
Then they are glad because they are quiet;
so He guides them to their desired haven” (Ps. 107.24-26, 28-30).
“Whoever does not bear his cross and
come after Me cannot be My disciple.
For which of you, intending to build a tower,
does not sit down first and
count the cost,
whether he has enough to finish it—” (Lk. 14.27, 28).
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” (Matt. 8.10, 11).
Blessed are you when the weather is bad, your health is tenuous, you are in pain, you are in want, you are sad, you are HIS…you belong to the One that even the winds and the sea obey. You are blessed. It might not always seem so; but you are. If only because you belong to the Master of all things.
Count His cost; then count yours. Have faith; follow Him.
Reflect.
1. How do you experience the Presence of Jesus in the midst of trials?
2. How do you expect to be tempted today as a follower of Jesus? How should you prepare for this?
3. How would you help a fellow believer who was struggling with fear or doubt?
Christ gets into the vessel of his church, always ready to calm the waves of the world. He leads those who believe in Him through safe sailing to the heavenly homeland and makes those whom He made to share in His humanity citizens of His land. Christ does not need the vessel, therefore, but the vessel needs Christ. Peter Chrysologus (380-450), Sermons 50.2
Pray Psalm 29.3-11.
Thank God for His sovereignty over all things! Call on Him to guide, protect, keep, and direct you through the day ahead.
Sing Psalm 29.3-11.
Toulon: I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art
Over the waters, over thunder’s roll,
God’s voice creation’s mighty pow’rs controls!
Cedars collapse at His majestic Word;
nations are shaken by our mighty LORD!
God speaks and lightning streaks across the sky;
by His decree He shakes the desert dry.
Speak, LORD, and life to beasts and men is giv’n.
Forests dissolve, and glory rings in heav’n.
Sovereign, the LORD sat o’er the raging flood;
sovereign forever rules our gracious God!
God will His people bless with strength and peace:
LORD, may Your holy Word to us increase!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: The Read Moore podcast continues readings from our book, The Kingdom Turn. Our Crosfigell teaching letter presses ahead in a series on the state of the Church in Europe at the time of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column looks at David as a visionary leader. Check out our other excellent writers. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
