From Matthew 8:23-27 / Little Faith – We must be careful readers here. The idea in this narrative isn’t that the Disciples should have had some kind of confidence in their own safety, but confidence on the basis of who and what Jesus was, and what He had come to do. He could not perish. Thus, they were safe too.

Matthew gives this account on the heels of the healing of the Centurion’s servant. He is using the connection of the 2 to show how they did not yet have the kind of faith the Centurion is commended for. Again, not faith to believe the storm could be quelled, but faith in the person and authority of Jesus. This is what they were missing. They begin to get there when we see their response in vs. 27. At last, they are asking the right question: What sort of man is this that even the winds and sea “OBEY Him?” His authority is what is being highlighted.

Additionally, without a clear understanding of the plan of God – which cannot fail, we will fail to live in the faith of knowing His plan cannot fail and so certain things must happen, and certain others cannot. In this case, had they understood His mission to die at Calvary, they would have known (and been comforted) that He could not die in the boat. But our faith cannot extend beyond what we know of God’s word, and believe accordingly.

How many times have we heard someone sound the alarm at the real decline of Christianity in some time or place, as though if something is not done by us, the Church will utterly be snuffed out of existence? If we believed His Word, His promises, His revealed plan for His Church and its end – we could respond rightly by pleading for reformation and revival, but not faithlessly as though the Church will not survive. Jesus Himself stated categorically that the Church He is building both can and will withstand even the very gates of Hell. That doesn’t mean there are not dangerous and threatening times – like the storm the Disciples were in in this passage. It does not mean some local expressions of the Church may cease. It does not mean we do not cry out “Lord save us!” in such hours. But it DOES mean we really MEAN it when we call Him Lord in that plea. That we appeal consciously to the one we know of a certainty is Lord over all. And with the assurance that His plans and purposes cannot fail.

Note too that though Jesus remarks about their little faith, He does not fail to answer because of it being little. How good He is! Yes, He can point out that it needs improvement, but little as it was (and in my case often is) He still hears, still answers and still blesses. He does not deny us because we are frail. Even the littlest faith, gets the response of omnipotence. Freely. J. C. Ryle writes: “We have great reason to thank God that Jesus, our great High-priest, is very compassionate and tenderhearted. He knows our frame. He considers our infirmities. He does not cast off His people because of defects. He pities even those whom he reproves. The prayer even of “little faith” is heard, and gets an answer.¹¹ Ryle, J. C. Expository Thoughts on Matthew. Robert Carter & Brothers, 1860, p. 80.

Amen!