Calming the storm.

(Mat. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25).

When they departed from the shore, exhausted from His daily activities, the Lord fell asleep in the bow of the boat. A great tempest arose — which happened frequently on the Lake of Gennesaret (surrounded by mountains and precipices) prompting the local residents to call it a sea. The disciples, nearly all of them being local fishermen and accustomed to battling local storms, were exhausted and in desperation began to wake their Teacher. From one point of view, this decision expresses fear for personal safety, while from another — reliance on the Lords omnipotence. According to Saint Mark, the disciples even permitted themselves to reproach Jesus: “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). In response, the Lord rebuked them: “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40; Mat. 8:26 and Luke 8:25). The Lord stopped the storm, rebuking the winds and the sea. The disciples and apparently people accompanying them in other boats uttered in amazement: “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Mat. 8:27; Mark 4:41; and Luke 8:25).