All three Synoptic Gospels describe Jesus calming a raging storm while with His disciples. After a day of teaching, Jesus, exhausted, fell asleep on a boat with His disciples, and a violent storm arose (Matthew 8:24; Mark 4:35–38; Luke 8:23). Despite the disciples' fear for their lives, Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, instantly bringing calm (Matthew 8:25–26; Mark 4:39; Luke 8:24). This miracle revealed both His humanity and divinity, showing His human needs as well as His authority over nature. In our own storms, we can find peace knowing that Jesus, who commands even the wind and waves, is with us and can bring us through safely.
In the story of Jesus calming the storm, we encounter the humanity and deity of Jesus. Jesus Christ, despite being exhausted, found rest amid the raging waves (Matthew 8:24). His tiredness identifies His humanity, reminding us that He willingly became one of us to save us. At the same time, we see His divinity, as the winds and waves obeyed His command (Luke 8:25; Mark 4:39). In our personal storms, we can be comforted in knowing that, because Jesus took on human flesh, He is able to "sympathize with our weaknesses" (Hebrews 4:14). We are bolstered by the reality that Jesus is God and can "with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus' deity brings comfort and peace, affirming that our faith is well-placed in the One who can calm the tumultuous waters of life and bring us to safety.
Like the disciples who doubted despite witnessing Jesus’ many miracles, we, too, often lack faith in the face of life's storms. Yet, Jesus' rebuke of their fear extends to us, reminding us that He is present and capable of bringing peace amidst our trials (1 Corinthians 15:54–58; Philippians 4:4–8). Knowing the storm was coming, Jesus still chose to cross to the other side, embodying His promise to be with us in tribulation (John 16:33). This assurance that we are never alone, reinforced by scriptures like Deuteronomy 31:8 and James 1:12, encourages us to persevere with Christ and overcome knowing that He is in control of the storm, is with us in it, and will get us through it.