READ: Luke 8:19-25: … My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it … Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!
Jesus now also points out those who actually listen to Him with a believing heart and obey Him. They know that His Word is the Word of God.
By saying that the disciples and the women and all those in the crowd who accept Him as their Redeemer are His mother and brothers, Jesus points to the special bond He has with them. It is the relationship of Bridegroom to bride, of Head to the church.. For them He will give His life!
The occasion for this statement was the report that His own mother and brothers were looking for Jesus but could not reach Him. They were afraid that He was overstrained, ‘beside Himself,’ because, amid the crowds, He sometimes even missed a meal. They wanted to restrain Him in His work (Mk. 3:21).
The next event takes place on the Sea of Galilee. They sail to the other side. In the boat Jesus rests and falls asleep. Mark reports that He had had a very demanding day. As often happens on this lake, a sudden wind comes down from the surrounding mountains onto the lake. This causes a severe storm that fills the boat with a great deal of water, creating the danger of sinking. In itself, it is not unreasonable that the disciples panic. But now Jesus is with them, is He not? Has He not already shown them His greatness many times? What could happen to them now that He is with them? Do they not trust Him?
They rush to Jesus, wake Him, and cry out, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ Jesus then demonstrates His almighty power over creation, and the lake becomes calm again as before. Jesus does rebuke His disciples because they have not honored Him. Apparently, they thought that He was powerless while asleep. That is sinful evidence of too little faith. ‘Where is your faith?’ Jesus asks.
Everything makes an enormous impression on them. Jesus had not prayed to His Father, but now, with a single rebuke, He has stilled the winds and the sea. ‘Who is this?’
What is the comfort of this passage for us?
Sing: Ps. 70:2