It was these strong and unpredictable winds that put Peter’s boat in jeopardy when we read the Scripture in Matthew 8. Additionally, most fishing boats used on the Sea of Galilee in the first century had flat bottoms. This enabled the fisherman to reach the best fishing grounds that were located in the shallow waters on the northern shore. It was there that the warm waters from the River Jordan and other springs enter the lake. Fisherman were known to fish here in the winter, when the tilapia could be found in abundance. While the flat bottom boats helped the fisherman navigate shallow waters, they also made the boats less stable vessels that were easily whipped about by the winds and the waves. These conditions would have made it treacherous and put a fishing boat, like Peter’s, in jeopardy during a storm.
We read that the storm picked up strength - the boat began to take on water to the point that it was in serious danger of being swamped – the disciples were frightened and panicking – but . . . Jesus remained fast asleep in the stern. “And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing’” (Matthew 8:25).
Thinking about the description of the storm above – understanding the effects of such a storm on a flat bottomed boat such as Peter’s – close your eyes and sense the urgency and panic in these very words. But . . . how does Christ answer? “’Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:26).
I don’t know about you, but THIS Scripture has always blown me away (no pun intended). Just think about the tremendous magnitude of what Christ did here. TWO of the least controllable forces in the world are the winds and waves. We know that today’s modern technology can monitor them and, at best, predict them with only limited success. But nothing can control them – they represent the epitome of nature’s power. Most of us from Florida have seen or experienced a hurricane. There is nothing we can do to diminish its powerful winds or destructive waves. Yet, Jesus rose in the boat and rebuked the wind and the waves. And . . . they obeyed!!! I think you will agree with me that this is EXTRAORDINARY. He masters nature in its rawest power and most uncontrollable form. This is definitely something for us to ponder on, no?
We’ve all heard of the painter Rembrandt and may even have seen some of his paintings. When he was twenty-nine years old he painted this gospel scene in which Peter’s boat was being thrashed about by the wind and the waves. His point was to show us that a storm can be waiting at any moment. But . . . more importantly, it shows us the proper response to the storm.
Okay! Back to the painting. Rembrandt painted the people in groups – in the back of the boat, there’s a small group who, in the midst of the storm, is gathered at Jesus’ feet and keep their eyes focused on him. There is a great calm surrounding this group. If you look closely, the painting shows a light coming from Christ, and those gathered around Christ share in that light.
Then there’s a group hidden in shadows. Rembrandt uses light in this painting to send the message that there is a humble light of Christ that shines in the midst of the darkness, and the Apostles who keep their eyes on Christ share in his light and possess a sense of calm. In contract, those who do not have their eyes fixed on Christ are greatly disturbed by the wind and the waves and are possessed by the fear and darkness.
There is a third group of disciples, probably seasoned fisherman, who is fighting the storm and desperately trying to keep the boat from being swamped. And in the midst of this group we see Peter fighting the storm with everything he’s got. We often identify with Peter – trying to take control of our lives and all of the problems that arise. We assume that if we just work harder, then we can make this or that happen. This reliance on our own efforts makes us sort of a Pelagian Peter. Pelagianism was a fourth-century heresy that taught that man was not tainted by Original Sin and that we could choose to do good, and therefore, achieve salvation without the grace of God. (Doesn’t this sound familiar? Some of our religious upbringing taught the same thing – be good – be kind – go to heaven.)
Notice how Rembrandt also depicts a light coming through the clouds – indicating the storm is about to break. The irony of this is that Peter has his back to the light.
Hmmm – like us at times? This often happens in the storms that arise in our lives. When we fight the storms on our own, we are oblivious to the light. We see only darkness. We don’t see the hope, only the despair. We’re not focused on the future, but only on the present problem. When we feel this way, it’s good to dwell on the Apostle John. He’s there – in the back – with Jesus, looking to the light and relying on Jesus to get the boat through the storm.
In the midst of this great storm, Christ again says to His Apostles, “Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). And then, after he commanded the storm to subside, and a great calm overtook the Sea of Galilee, “The men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?’” (Matthew 8:27).
Something incredible had happened.