THE WORD: O ye of little faith

“The Storm on the Sea of Galilee” by Rembrandt (1633) was held in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston until 1990 when it was stolen in possibly the biggest art theft in U.S. history. In 2013, the FBI said they knew who was responsible for the heist, which included 13 works valued at $500 million. (Public Domain)

Jesus delivered powerful teachings during the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, turning the other cheek and loving your enemies were all taught by the Sea of Galilee. The result of the sermon was a growing multitude of followers of Christ and a clear statement of Jesus’s authority and divinity.

Following the sermon, Jesus healed the sick and exorcised demons. All of these actions were witnessed by his Disciples. They knew their master was sent by God.

After witnessing the power of Jesus, the Disciples found themselves on a boat in the Sea of Galilee with Jesus asleep. A storm arose — a great tempest — which made the Disciples afraid. These men were in the presence of the Creator of the water, yet they panicked and feared for their lives.

This passage shows us that even the Disciples were quick to forget the power of God. They thought they needed to be saved from the storm but had been saved before the storm arose.

MATTHEW 8:23-26

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.