Read Matthew 8:23-27

Often, when encountering passages dealing with storms, our first instinct is to try to figure out how we can overcome the storms of life. But in our time today, the focus won’t be on how we can overcome storms but instead on the Lord of the storm.

In the passage you just read, we see the disciples crossing the lake by boat toward the Gerasenes. While Jesus was taking a nap, a storm hit. According to Aristotle, lailaps (the Greek word meaning a furious squall) describes “a storm breaking forth from black thunder clouds in furious gusts, with floods of rain, and throwing everything topsy-turvy.” This is what hit them.

So, in a panic, the disciples wake Jesus and ask Him if He cares if they drown. One Bible commentator addressed this moment saying, “Unbelief and fear made them sadly forget their place.” Isn’t that such a familiar place for us? The place where fear and faithlessness cause us to forget who Jesus is?

So, Jesus arises, rebukes and calms the storm. In Mark 4, we’re told He said, “Peace! Be still!” On first glance, it seems Jesus is just rebuking the storm and speaking peace and stillness over it, but could it be that His rebuke was two-fold? Could it be that His command was directed at both the storm and the disciples? He was awakened by panic, fear, and faithlessness, so He spoke stillness and peace over the storm raging in the sky and the storm raging in their hearts and minds. This is further cemented when He says, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”

After all they’d seen and heard from Jesus, they were still unsure of who Jesus was, which is made clear as they pondered amongst themselves, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Spoiler alert: on the other side of the lake, they’d find out exactly who He was.

Is this you right now—caught in a constant barrage of storms, unsure of who Jesus is, struggling to have faith? Today, be reminded that as great as any storm may be, Jesus is greater. May this truth be used by God to increase your faith and dependence on Him in every storm and sunny day!

1. Why did Jesus question the faith of the disciples in this moment?
2. In what ways does God remind us of who He is through the storms of life? How have you seen this to be true in your life?

Read Matthew 8:28–34

Without question, this next section of our passage kicks off one of the most dramatic moments in all of the Bible. After traversing a life-threatening storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and His disciples come ashore. At the shoreline, two men who were possessed by demons approach Jesus.

Let’s be clear… being possessed by demons is the worst thing a human could experience on the earth. Demons are real, and their goal is to destroy and torture people who are made in God’s image. Demons cause uncontrollable violence to self and others, so much so that these men had to live outside of the city among the tombs.

“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted (you see? The disciples just heard loud and clear who this man was). The demons recognized Jesus! They spoke first. They call Him a name none of His followers had called Him yet: “Son of God,” and then ask to be sent into the herd of pigs grazing nearby. And in one word (“Go!”), Jesus casts out this legion of demons from these men. Just one word and everything changed. Just like when He spoke to the storm, and it stopped, just like when He spoke and created everything in the beginning.

The same God who powerfully spoke at the creation of the world and at this moment is the same God who speaks now and sets us free! There’s no power on the earth or anywhere else that’s greater than Jesus’ power to save. In a way, our lives are a picture of these men. Just like them, we’re helpless and without hope, but when Jesus intervenes and exercises His authority, we move from darkness to light; from death to life. No matter what you or a loved one is facing, Jesus is able and willing to save!

3. What word do you need Jesus to speak over your life right now?
4. What must you do to experience His freedom in this area?

Read Matthew 9:1-8

In this final section, we see Jesus perform an amazing miracle. But instead of being met with excitement and worship, the religious leaders began to question the authority of Jesus and even go as far as to accuse Him of blaspheming against God. Why? Because instead of telling the man that he was healed, Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven.”

This angered these religious men because they rightfully believed that only God has the authority to forgive a person’s sins. Knowing their minds, Jesus addresses their accusations and doubts. He asked them, “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” And then He explains why He said what He did: “‘But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ So he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Get up, take your mat and go home.’” And the paralyzed man actually got up and walked!

As we’ve seen in this entire section of Scripture, there should be no question who Jesus is. He is Lord over the natural, physical world (the storm), the supernatural, spiritual realm (the demons), and over our minds (He knew the religious leaders’ thoughts), bodies (He healed the paralyzed man), and souls (He forgave the man’s sins).

In Matthew 28:18 (NIV), Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” What a bold and comforting claim this is! He has authority over all that we can’t see and struggle to believe, but also over everything we do see and do believe.

5. What do each of the events recorded in this section have in common?
6. What can we take from this passage? How should the truths revealed here about Jesus’ authority impact the way we live?

This Week

Think about areas of your life where you feel fearful, oppressed and out of control, or paralyzed. Write these things down and then give them to the Lord. Ask Him in faith, knowing He has authority over it all, to speak peace and freedom, and enable you to walk strong and secure in His power.

Memory Verse

“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”—Matthew 9:6 (NIV)

Prayer Guide

Jesus, thank You for demonstrating Your power, authority, control, and goodness over everything in creation, everything in the spiritual realm, and over sin and death. I know You can do anything; everything is subject to Your authority. Today, help me to listen to Your voice, to trust in Your power, and to walk and rest in Your peace and forgiveness. In Your mighty Name I pray, Jesus. Amen.

If you have questions you aren’t sure of, please reach out to us at CalvaryFTL.org/Questions.