Jesus, Lord of Storms Luke 8:22-25

Introduction:

Today we continue in our series going through the book of Luke. This is sermon number 35 in the series. Because of that, I want us to pull back, just a bit, to remind ourselves of Lukes style and purpose for writing. Lukes purpose in writing is to reveal to his gentile readers that Jesus is God in the flesh. Not just the Messiah of Israel but Lord of all. He is God the son, the second person of the trinity incarnate. The God-Man. In order to do this, Luke employs a style of writing that is not necessarily always chronological but instead thematic. That’s why if you read Luke along with other Gospel writers some things may seem out of order.

Luke says this took place “on a certain day” that is purposefully indefinite and vague. If you read Marks account of this event it took place on the same day Jesus told several parables including the soil. The disciples and Jesus have likely set off on the Sea of Galilee after an evening meal in Capernaum in a fishing boat. (Possibly the boat that belonged to Peter, James and John. Marks account also tells us that there were other small boats that were accompanying Jesus and the 12.

Though the disciples didn't know this, Jesus had a divine appointment on the other side of the lake with a demon possessed man. Jesus and his band of disciples set off to sail across the sea after dark and Jesus exhausted after a long day of dealing with crowds and teaching fell asleep in the stern of the boat on a pillow. (Mark 4:38 adds that detail). This is the only time in scripture we see Jesus sleeping.

But, while crossing the Sea of Galilee a large storm arose that made the disciples fearful for their lives. Now, to understand how that happened we need to know the geography of the sea of Galilee.

The Sea of Galilee (Gennesaret, Chinerath, Chinneroth, today Yam Kinneret) is around 13 miles wide and seven miles long. It is a fresh water lake and is the most significant geographical feature in the area. Its main source of water is the Jordan river which flows into it from the north. The lake sits about 68- feet below sea level which makes it the lowest fresh water lake on the planet that we know about. It sits in a bowl shaped section of the Jordan valley about 30 miles east of the Mediterranean Sea. The lake is surrounded by steep hills on all sides which play a major role in creating sudden, violent storms which can be life threatening in their intensity. Cooler air from the higher elevations that surround it flow down the slopes and collide with the warmer air that sits at the surface. As the air flows through the ravines and canyons it becomes compressed and speeds up.

In 1992 there was a storm on the Sea of Galilee that generated 10 ft high waves that slammed into the shores in the city of Tiberias ad caused large amounts of damage.

Understanding this, can give you a little sense why the disciples of Jesus in their fishing boats were so afraid.

Luke uses a greek word here to describe the storm that is often used to describe a hurricane. Marks account adds a word that means “great” before this word Luke uses. So, Mark calls it a “great hurricane.” Matthew describes the storm by using a word that means “a great shaking on the sea”. It’s the same word we derive the word “seismology” from; which is the study of earthquakes.

This was no ordinary “run of the mill” storm.

Mark 4:37 ESV

37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.

But, while all of this was going on, Jesus didn't wake. He was sawing logs in the middle of the storm while his disciples were in sheer panic.

Remember, most of these men were fisherman and they understood just what their boats could endure. If they were terrified, they had every reason to be. Fearing for their lives they cry out

Luke 8:24 (NKJV)

...“Master, Master, we are perishing!” ...

Matthew 8:25 (NKJV)

... “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

Mark 4:38 (NKJV)

...“Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

This isn't contradictory, but pictures the chaos of the moment. They didn't send an orderly delegation to wake Jesus, they were a panicked mob crying out for him. Some were saying “Lord”, others “Master”, and others “Teacher” all at once.

Jesus then wakes up and rebukes the wind and sea, Mark tells us exactly what he says

Mark 4:39 NKJV

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Immediately the winds stopped blowing and sea became still. Jesus then turns to his disciples and asks them the question “Where is your faith?” This whole even caused the disciples to be filled with fear and wander as they said amongst themselves

Luke 8:25 (NKJV)

...“Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

It is that question we will endeavor to answer this morning from this marvelous text of scripture because it teaches us much of just who Jesus is. We will answer this question from a theological perspective and then a practical perspective.

1.) Who is Jesus theologically?

Jesus is the creator, sustainer, and goal of the universe.

The disciples knew the scriptures, from the time were born they were taught these truth about God himself. They knew that Only God had control over his creation.

They knew Psalm 107:24-30 which declare

Psalm 107:24–30 ESV

24 they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. 25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. 28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.

They also knew Psalm 65:7

Psalm 65:7 NKJV

7 You who still the noise of the seas, The noise of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples.

Psalm 89:9 ESV

9 You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.

They knew that the only one who had the power to calm the storm and waves was Jehovah himself.

Psalm 104:7 ESV

7 At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.

They knew that when Israel fled the slavery of Egypt and were brought to the banks of the Red sea with seemingly no where to go as the armies of Egypt were gaining on them by the second that it was God who:

Psalm 106:9 ESV

9 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, and he led them through the deep as through a desert.

All of the waters on the face of the entire earth only flow or stop flowing by the command of God.

If only God possesses this ability, then the logic of the disciples was that Jesus was creator God.

In this moment, their understanding and faith in just who Jesus was shot through the roof.

This is the testimony of all of the New Testament combined.

John 1:1–3 NKJV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

1 Corinthians 8:6 ESV

6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Colossians 1:16–17 ESV

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Hebrews 1:1–3 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Revelation 4:11 NKJV

11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

The fact that Jesus could calm the raging storm tossed waters of the sea of Galilee was not at all wasted on the disciples who were in the boat with Jesus.

He is the creator, sustainer and goal of the entire universe.

Christ has created everything in these unfathomable galaxies all the way down to the every atom that they are consisted of. Everything moves, breathes, has its being and is hurdling toward the return of Christ when sets up his heavenly kingdom that will last for all eternity.

1 Corinthians 15:23–27 NKJV

But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.

2.) Who is Jesus practically?

If he is the creator, sustainer, and goal of the entire universe, then he has the ability to meet my every need.

Jesus asking his disciples “Where is your faith” ought to challenge us as well.

All of us are going to face storms in our lives at some point if we haven't already.

Storms of :

Suffering

Temptation

loss

hatred

lust

anger

grief

persecution

It is during these times, that our faith need not be shaken but strengthened.

The story is told of a woman coming to the great evangelist D.L. Moody one day saying:

“I have found a wonderful promise! and she quoted Psalm 56:3

Psalm 56:3 KJV 1900

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

To which he replied “Let me give you a better one” and quoted her Isaiah 12:2

Isaiah 12:2 (KJV 1900)

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid:...

The apostle Paul coming to the end of his life as he sat in prison thinking over all God had brought him through in his life

2 Timothy 4:18 ESV

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

In my office above my door is a quote from Charles Spurgeon which reads “I’ve learned to kiss the wave that throws me up against the “Rock of Ages.”

Conclusion:

So, I ask you the question this morning, “Where is your faith?”

Are you troubled by the storm, in a panic, desperately trying not to sink?

or

Are you confident that Jesus is the Lord over the storm, and he knows just what you need when you need it?