The Savior Slept!

1. The Savior Slept! To begin, let’s read Matthew 8:18-27 There are so many facets and interesting aspects of this story! Likewise, there are many lessons to be explored: The faithfulness of the disciples to follow, v.23; The origin, occasion and object of the storm, v.24a; The terror of the Twelve, v.25; The timidity of the Twelve, v.26a; The magnificent miracle of the Master, v.26b; and The marveling of the men, v.27. But the aspect I’d like us to consider is that while the faithless feared,

2. Have you ever really thought about this aspect of the story? That while the storm raged, And the disciples panicked, The Savior slept? Let’s consider a few things that make this part of the story not only pertinent, but vital.

3. Important details of the story: • The 12 (His disciples) had sufficient faith to have obeyed and followed, vv.18,23. • And yet, in times of trouble, He called them “timid” (Greek word is “cowardly” in Rev.21:8), and said they were “men of little faith,” v.26. • The faith of initial belief and the first steps of following Jesus must be matured to allow for the proper perspective and reactions to life’s storms, cf. 2Pet.1:5ff; Heb.5:14ff; Jas.1:2-8. • Have you grown/matured your faith sufficiently to prevent you from being swamped (Luke 8:23b) by the storms of life?

4. Important details of the story: • The 12 even had sufficient faith to go to the right source of salvation in time of need, vv.24-25. • The Sea of Galilee lies some 700 ft. below sea level, and is surrounded by mountains. Cool dry air rushes down these steep slopes (cf. Luke 8:23a, “descended”) and clashes with warm moist air rising from the sea producing quick and violent storms (“great,” v.24; also, the word for storm/tempest is seimos{shaking}, which is translated as “earthquake” in 24:7). • Thus, the 12 were not afraidwithout cause- at least from a faithless (carnal) point of view, cp. 1Cor.3:1-3. • And, they had enough faith and understanding to appeal to the right source, Jesus, of salvation, v.25; Acts 4:12.

5. But through the chaos of the storm, the Savior Slept! • How? Consider some other important details: • He had been busy about His Father’s work, vv.1-15 16-18. • When we busy ourselves with the right kind of activities, then: 1) there is always plenty to do, Acts 20:33-35; and 2) rest becomes a good conscience necessity rather than a luxury, 1Thess.4:11-12; Phil.4:7. • Thus, given the day He had (vv.1-22), and the day that was ahead (vv.28-34ff), rest was more important than a moonlight cruise on the lake (yes, I realize this wasn’t a pleasure cruise for the 12), 6:22-23, 33-34.

6. But through the chaos of the storm, the Savior Slept! • How? Consider some other important details: • Compare the “faith” of the 12 (or lack thereof) with that of Jesus: • He did not say, “Let us go out to the middle of the lake so a storm can drown us all.” Luke 8:22 Rom.10:17. • He not only knew where they were going ‘tonight’ and ‘tomorrow,’ but where they were headed ultimately, 16:1826:29-35Acts 1:3-9Acts 2:4ff. • Jesus, because of his faith, understood the ultimate destination, and thus was unaffected by inconsequential bumps/storms along the way, cp. vv.19-22vv.26-27. • It’s hard to know where you are in life (and have the right perspective of it) without a faithfully clear picture of where you’re going, Heb.12:1-2.

7. So which will you be in the “storms of life”: • Faithless andfearful like the disciples; or • Faithful and confidently peaceful like the sleeping Savior? • If you truly want to be like Jesus, then: • Busy yourself daily with the Father’s work, and • Trust in His word completely!