For anyone facing a storm in life, the symbolism underlying the tale of Jesus calming the storm should be a great source of inspiration and hope. Jesus and his apostles took a boat to the opposing side to find some peace and quiet to rest after speaking to big crowds close to the Sea of Galilee. The apostles believed they would perish in the storm with winds so strong as they crossed the sea. The apostles hurried to wake Jesus, who had been sleeping below deck throughout the storm, and demanded to know why he didn’t seem to care. When Jesus awoke, he quickly ordered the storm to calm down. Even after being stunned, the apostles did not fully believe that Jesus was the Son of God, whom “Even the winds and water obey.”
Jesus Calms a Storm
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:23-27)
What Jesus’ calming of the storm means
Another indication that He is the Messiah and is divine is that the Lord has dominion over creation. Only God has the authority to command the sea and the waves (Job 38:8-11, Psalm 65:5-6). Jesus was dozing off because, as a man, He required rest. Sleep is one of the normal bodily functions that Jesus took on when He became flesh. The Church is frequently represented by the figure of Christ and His disciples aboard a boat. In order for us to more fully understand His protection, God simultaneously permits storms and brings us through them. Christ’s rebuke of the storm serves as an example of how He calms the storms in people’s souls.
