ACC ~ Matthew 8 v23 - 27

OVERVIEW:

Jesus took with him those whom he was training to be champions of the gospel, coaching them against despair (CHRYSOSTOM). Jesus remained asleep in the boat until the apex of the storm, when the pilot’s skill is most sorely tested (PETER CHRYSOLOGUS). Only then did the disciples appeal in terror to the very master of the elements (PETER CHRYSOLOGUS). He slept to give occasion for their timidity. He permitted the storm that they might understand their deliverer. His sleeping made it evident that he was a man. His calming of the seas declared him God (CHRYSOSTOM). So Christ today calms the waves surrounding the vessel of the church, so as to provide an anticipatory signal that he will finally calm the crisis of shipwreck of the whole of fallen human history (PETER CHRYSOLOGUS).

8:23 | Getting into the Boat

COACHING AGAINST DESPAIR

CHRYSOSTOM: He took the disciples with him, not for nothing and not merely to face an absurd hazard but in order to permit them to witness the miracle that was to take place on the sea. For like a superb trainer, he was gradually coaching and fitting them for endurance. He had two objectives in mind. He wanted to teach them to remain undismayed amid dangers and modest in honors. So, to prevent them from thinking too much of themselves, having sent away the multitude, he kept them near him but permitted them to be tossed with a tempest. By doing so he disciplined them to bear trials patiently. His former miracles were indeed great, but this one contained a unique kind of discipline of exceptional importance. For it was a sign akin to that of old. [1] To do this, he took his disciples with him by himself. He permitted others to see his other miracles, but when trials and terrors were rising, he took with him none but those he was training to be champions of the gospel. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 28.1. [2]

[1] He is pointing to the miracle of Moses in the dividing of the Red Sea, which he later explains.

[2] PG 57:349-50; NPNF 1 10:189**.

8:24 | A Storm Arises

THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM TESTS THE PILOT’S SKILL

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: The sea offered its heaving back for Christ to walk upon. Now it leveled its crests to a plain, checked its swelling and bound up its billows. It provided rocklike firmness, so he could walk across the waterway. Why did the seas heave so, and toss and pitch, even as if threatening its Creator? And why did Christ himself, who knows all the future, seem so unaware of the present that he gave no thought to the onrushing storm, the moment of its height and the time of its peril? While all the rest were awake, he alone was fast asleep even with utter doom threatening both himself and his dear ones. Why? It is not a calm sky, beloved, but the storm which tests a pilot’s skill. When the breeze is mild even the poorest sailor can manage the ship. But in the crosswinds of a tempest, we want the best pilot with all his skill. SERMONS 20.1. [1]

[1] CCL 24:116-17; FC 17:61-62*.

WHY DOES HE SLEEP?

CHRYSOSTOM: He sleeps to give occasion for their timidity and to make their perception of what was happening more distinct. … He permits the storm, that by their deliverance they might attain to a clearer perception of that benefit. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 28.1. [1]

[1] PG 57:351; NPNF 1 10:190.

8:25 | We Are Perishing

THE MASTER OF THE ELEMENTS

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: The disciples’ efforts as seamen had failed, as they could see. The seas attempted to spend their fury against them, and the waves were ready to swallow them. The twisting winds had conspired against them. So they ran in fear to the very Pilot of the world, the Ruler of the universe, the Master of the elements. They begged him to check the billows, banish the danger, save them in their despair. SERMONS 20.1. [1]

[1] CCL 24:117; FC 17:62*.

8:26 | Jesus Rebukes the Elements

WHY ARE YOU AFRAID?

CHRYSOSTOM: It is not in the presence of the multitudes that he corrects their “little faith.” He calls them apart to correct them. Before the tempest of the waters he stills the tempests in their souls. He admonishes them, “Why are you so fearful, O you who have little faith?” He instructs them concerning how human fear emerges out of weakness of mind, not out of the actual approach of threatening trials. Their awakening him was a sign of their lack of a right understanding of who he was. They knew his power to rebuke when he was awake, but his power to rebuke when asleep they had not yet grasped. Even after so many other miracles their impressions of him were still confused. This is why he remarked that they were still without understanding. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 28.1. [1]

[1] PG 57:351; NPNF 1 10:190.

MEN OF LITTLE FAITH

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The exclamation “save us” is commendable, since it shows faith. But to say “we are perishing” brings a charge of littleness of faith against those who were in deep distress. They indeed put their hope in Christ who was sailing with them. They were not totally faithless but were at that point “of little faith,” since in their danger they did not take courage from the fact of Christ’s being with them. FRAGMENT 99. [1]

[1] MKGK 184.

A GREAT CALM

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: Christ gets into the vessel of his church, always ready to calm the waves of the world. He leads those who believe in him through safe sailing to the heavenly homeland and makes those whom he made to share in his humanity citizens of his land. Christ does not need the vessel, therefore, but the vessel needs Christ. Without the heavenly helmsman the vessel of the church is unable to sail over the sea of the world and, against critical odds, arrive at the heavenly harbor. SERMONS 50.2. [1]

[1] CCL 24:277-78.

8:27 | The Disciples Marvel

WHAT SORT OF MAN?

CHRYSOSTOM: How did they know he was a man? They could see him sleeping. He commanded a ship. So why were they so perplexed about his humanity, saying, “What manner of man is this?” His sleeping showed he was a man. His calming of the seas declared him God. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 28.1. [1]

[1] PG 57:351-52; NPNF 1 10:190**.

EVEN THE WINDS OBEY HIM

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: Finally it was by Christ’s mere command that he controlled the sea, struck back the winds, stopped the whirlwinds, brought back the calm. Then those who were crossing the sea perceived, believed and acknowledged that he is the very Creator of all. SERMONS 20.1. [1]

[1] CCL 24:117; FC 17:62*.