As a devout Christian who is passionate about the Word of God, I am always inspired by the stories of Jesus Christ and His miraculous acts of compassion and love. One particular story that resonates with me is the account of Jesus calming the storm as recorded in Matthew 8:25.
Matthew 8:25 (ESV) “And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.””
In this passage, Jesus and His disciples find themselves in a small ship, caught in a violent storm that puts their lives in imminent danger.
Despite the chaos and fear around them, Jesus is fast asleep, displaying unwavering peace and trust in God. The disciples, on the other hand, are overcome with fear and desperation, and they wake Jesus up with a cry for help: “Lord, save us: we perish.”
This powerful moment captures the essence of the human condition and our desperate need for salvation. In this article, I will explore the deeper meaning of this passage and its spiritual implications for us today.
I. Man is in a Perishing Condition
The cry of the disciples, “Lord, save us: we perish,” reflects the desperate state of humanity.
This cry is not merely a plea for physical salvation from a life-threatening storm, but a universal cry for deliverance from the storms of life. It is the cry of the human soul that longs for rescue from the perils of sin, death, and despair.
The disciples’ plea speaks to the depths of our human need for salvation and redemption, and reminds us that we are all in need of a Savior. This is evident in several ways:
The express declaration of the word of God
The Bible teaches that all human beings are born with a sinful nature and have gone astray from God’s perfect plan for our lives (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23).
Our natural inclination is towards unbelief and disobedience, which leads to spiritual death and separation from God (John 3:18; Ephesians 2:1).
The consequence of sin is eternal and irreparable, resulting in everlasting punishment and separation from God (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:14-15).
The true state and condition of man
Apart from God, humanity is in a wretched state, hungering for meaning and purpose, blind to the truth, naked in our vulnerability, poor in spirit, diseased by sin, and condemned by our own actions (Matthew 5:3-10; Romans 7:18; Ephesians 2:12).
Our efforts to save ourselves or find fulfillment in worldly pursuits are futile and ultimately lead to emptiness and disappointment (Ecclesiastes 1:14; Isaiah 64:6).
The eternal and irreparable consequences of perishing
The consequences of perishing are not only temporal but also eternal. The Bible warns of the reality of the second death, which is eternal separation from God and eternal suffering in hell (Revelation 21:8; Mark 9:48).
This is a fate that no one can escape on their own, and it highlights the urgent need for salvation.
II. Salvation is of the Lord.
“Lord, save us.” They went to the right source. No other voice could have effected the instant calm; and Christ is the only Saviour of sinners from the storms of eternal wo. Salvation is of the Lord,
In its origin.
Salvation was contrived by God Himself. It was His divine plan from the beginning of time to redeem humanity from the perishing condition caused by sin. His eyes saw the plight of mankind, His heart was filled with compassion, and His mighty arm brought forth salvation.
It is the Lord who initiated and designed the entire scheme of salvation, showing His unfathomable love and mercy towards humanity. (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 1:4-5)
In its execution.
God’s salvation was fully realized in the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became the perfect and sinless sacrifice for the sins of the world.
He willingly became the surety, bore the curse of sin, endured the shame of the cross, drank the cup of God’s wrath, and suffered the punishment that humanity deserved.
Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus accomplished the work of salvation, providing a way for sinners to be reconciled to God and receive forgiveness and eternal life. (John 3:16; Romans 3:23-24; 1 Peter 2:24)
In its bestowment.
Salvation can only flow from the gracious hands of Jesus Christ. He is the only source of salvation for all humanity, regardless of age, gender, race, or nationality.
Just as Jesus saved the woman who was a sinner, Zaccheus the extortioner, the dying malefactor on the cross, and Saul the persecutor, He continues to save all who come to Him in repentance and faith.
Jesus is the embodiment of God’s grace and the dispenser of salvation to all who believe in Him. (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Acts 10:43)
“All the redeemed in heaven ascribe the glory and praise to Him,” for Jesus alone is worthy of all honor, worship, and adoration. (Revelation 5:9-10) He is the perfect and complete Savior who offers salvation to all who seek Him with a sincere heart.
III. Application to Christ is Necessary to Secure this Salvation.
In order to receive the salvation that God offers through Jesus Christ, it is imperative to personally apply it to one’s life. It must be the application,
Of sincere repentance.
Repentance is the turning away from sin and self towards God. It is a genuine recognition and confession of one’s sinful condition and a heartfelt desire to change and live in obedience to God’s will.
Repentance involves a deep sorrow for sin, a humble confession, and a decision to forsake sinful ways. Without true repentance, there can be no salvation. (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30)
Of importunate prayer.
Prayer is the communication and communion with God, and it is an essential aspect of the believer’s relationship with God. Through prayer, one can humbly and earnestly seek God’s forgiveness, mercy, and grace.
It is through persistent and fervent prayer that one can express their total dependence on God and their desperate need for His salvation.
Just as the publican who cried out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13), and as Saul who prayed and received his sight (Acts 9:11-18), believers are to approach God with a heart of humility, faith, and persistence, seeking His salvation with unwavering trust in His goodness and faithfulness.
Of unwavering faith.
Faith is the key that unlocks the door to God’s salvation. It is through faith that one receives and appropriates the gift of salvation that God offers.
Faith is not just a mere intellectual assent to the truth of the Gospel, but it is a complete trust and reliance on Jesus Christ as the only Saviour. It is a confident belief in His finished work on the cross and His resurrection, knowing that He is able and willing to save all who come to Him in faith.
Just as the woman with the issue of blood who believed that she would be healed if she could touch the hem of Jesus’ garment (Matthew 9:20-22), and as the jailer in Philippi who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and was saved (Acts 16:30-31), believers are to exercise unwavering faith in Christ for their salvation.
Of surrendered obedience.
Salvation is not just a one-time event, but it also involves a lifelong process of sanctification and obedience to God. It requires a willing surrender of one’s life to the lordship of Jesus Christ. It means yielding to His authority, following His commands, and living a life that is pleasing to Him.
Obedience is the evidence of genuine faith and salvation. Just as Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), and as the Apostle Paul exhorted believers to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which they have been called (Ephesians 4:1), believers are to live a life of surrendered obedience to Christ, allowing His transforming grace to work in them and through them.
Conclusion
Salvation is a precious gift from God that is received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It is not earned or deserved, but it is freely offered to all who repent, pray, believe, and obey.
It is a personal and individual decision that each person must make to appropriate God’s salvation for their own life. May we all humbly and wholeheartedly respond to God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, knowing that it is truly of the Lord and Him alone. Amen.
