Jesus Stills the Tempest
Psalm 107:23–30; Matthew 8:23–27
Messianic Prophecy in Psalm 107:23–30:
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy in Matthew 8:23–27:
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.
27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Elder Robert D. Hales said:
“After teaching the multitude, Jesus and His disciples set sail for the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was night and the Savior rested comfortably near the stern, asleep on a pillow. In time ‘there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship.’ Terrified, the disciples awakened Him: ‘Master, crest thou not that we perish?’ (Mark 4:37–38). His answer was characteristically calm: ‘Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?’ (Matthew 8:26). ‘And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm’ (Mark 4:39).
“He who had created the earth was again commanding the elements (see James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed. [1916], 309). In wonderment, His disciples asked, ‘What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ (Mark 4:41).”
(“Faith through Tribulation Brings Peace and Joy,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 15.)
