How is Jesus calming the storm significant?

what does the bible say?

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.

from the old testament

Jesus calming the storm is not recorded in the Old Testament.Proverbs 3:24 and Psalm 4:8 teach that the sleep of a believer is peaceful because he or she knows that God is near. This is what Jesus exemplified as He slept through the storm.It's interesting to compare Jesus calming the storm to the story of Jonah. Jonah, too, was asleep on the boat during a storm. Unlike Jesus, Jonah was running from God's call. The captain of the ship woke Jonah, saying, "What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish" (Jonah 1:6). Jonah described to the other sailors the God he served, "the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land" (Jonah 1:9). Jonah knew the power of God and that He was ultimately in control of the weather, yet the storm raged because of his disobedience. Jesus calmed the storm with His words. God calmed the storm when Jonah submitted to God’s words. Immediately "the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows" (Jonah 1:15–16). Just as the disciples recognized the power of Jesus when He calmed the storm, the sailors understood the power of God when the storm ceased.

from the new testament

Jesus calming the storm is recorded in Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25.After teaching the crowds near the Sea of Galilee, Jesus needed a rest. He decided to take a boat with His disciples to the opposite shore (Mark 4:35–36). Once on the boat, Jesus fell asleep, and a treacherous storm arose (Luke 8:23).The Sea of Galilee was known for its spontaneous, raging storms. We know that at least four of the disciples were professional fishermen who made their living on the water. Professional fishermen would know how to react to a sudden storm. We can gauge the storm by how frightened these fishermen were. They even thought they would die (Luke 8:24)!The boat filled with water and crashed against the powerful waves, yet Jesus slept peacefully and restfully at the stern (Mark 4:37–38). The disciples woke up Jesus, pleading with Him to save them from drowning (Matthew 8:25; Mark 4:38; Luke 8:24). Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and the waves, commanding, "Peace! Be still!" (Mark 4:39; cf. Matthew 8:26; Luke 8:24). Immediately, the storm ceased, and there was a great calm. Jesus questioned His disciples, asking them if they had any faith (Mark 4:40; Matthew 8:26; Luke 8:25).Jesus slept because He was at peace. He calmed the storm, demonstrating His power. Our right response is to fear God and worship Him, knowing the God "who made the sea and the dry land" (Jonah 1:9) is the one who sent His Son who "even the wind and the sea obey" (Mark 4:41). This is our Savior, and we can trust Him completely.

implications for today

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.