JESUS CALMS THE STORM

Passage: Matthew 8:23-34

Key verse: 26

NIV

Jesus Calms the Storm(A)(B)

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 He replied, “You of little faith,(C) why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.(D)

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men(E)

28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,[a] two demon-possessed(F) men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us,(G) Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”(H)

30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.(I)

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 8:28 Some manuscripts Gergesenes; other manuscripts Gerasenes
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Calms a Storm

23 (A)And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but (B)he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, (C)“Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you (D)afraid, (E)O you of little faith?” Then he rose and (F)rebuked the winds and the sea, and (G)there was a great calm. 27 And the men (H)marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even (I)winds and sea obey him?”

Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons

28 (J)And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes,[a] two (K)demon-possessed[b] men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they (L)cried out, “What have you to do with us, (M)O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us (N)before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the (O)demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, (P)they begged him to leave their region.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 8:28 Some manuscripts Gergesenes; some Gerasenes
  2. Matthew 8:28 Greek daimonizomai (demonized); also verse 33; elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The disciples woke Jesus as a furious storm struck their boat. They said, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Their words reveal both their faith in Jesus and their fear. In their faith, they went to Jesus for help, but in their doubt, they panicked. In the same way, we sometimes come to Jesus for help through prayer, while at the same time wondering if he will really help us. Jesus addressed the disciples’ fear, rebuked the winds and waves, and there was great calm. This miracle reveals who Jesus is: the Creator God, who commands creation and is obeyed instantly. Today, Jesus dwells in us through his Spirit. Our security is not found in the absence of troubles, but in the presence of Jesus.

As they landed, two violent demon-possessed men confronted Jesus. The demons had robbed them of sanity and self-control filling them with violence and death. Yet even the demons recognized Jesus’ divinity and authority, and they begged him to send them into a herd of pigs. Jesus permitted it, and the pigs rushed into the lake and drowned. The men were set free from possession and violence. Jesus is stronger than the darkest bondage and demonic oppression, and he can set us free with just his word. But the townspeople rejected Jesus not because they doubted his power, but because they feared his presence will cost too much.

Prayer: Lord, help me trust in your presence and overcome the storms and the bondage of life.

One Word: Jesus is in our presence