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Rembrandt Christ in the Storm on the Lake of Galilee

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt, 1632.

Calming the storm is one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels, namely in Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25 and Matthew 8:23-27.[1][2][3]

According to the Gospels, one evening Jesus and his disciples were crossing the Sea of Gallilee in a boat when a furious storm came up, with the waves breaking over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion, but the disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" The Gospel of Mark then states that:

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Author Michael Keene commented that the Sea of Galilee was known for its sudden and fierce storms and that the Jews were people of the land who were generally uncomfortable at sea, specially since they believed the sea to be full of frightening creatures.[4]

Author John Clowes commented that by asking the question ""Why are you so afraid?" Jesus was asking his disciples to explore in their own minds the cause and origin of fear, so they would realize that all fear has its roots in natural affection and thought, separate from spiritual affection and thought. And by asking "Do you still have no faith?" Jesus was manifestly pointing to a defect in their spiritual principles.

Clowes further commented that by that last question Jesus was manifestly instructing his disciples, and through them all future generations of mankind, that fear is the constant result of the weakness of Heavenly principles in the human mind.[5]

See also[]

References[]

  1. Biblegateway Mark 4:35-41 [1]
  2. Biblegateway Luke 8:22-25 [2]
  3. Biblegateway Matthew 8:23-27 [3]
  4. Michael Keene 2002 St Mark's Gospel and the Christian faith ISBN 0748767754 page 26
  5. John Clowes, 1817 The Miracles of Jesus Christ published by J. Gleave, Manchester, UK page 47
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