Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 14:24

"But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind was contrary." — Matthew 14:24 (ASV)

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

This is the case with the good ship of the Church of Christ today; it is tossed with waves, and the wind is contrary. It is very contrary just now; but, then, Christ is still pleading for the ship and all on board; and while he pleads, it can never sink.

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

While Jesus was alone, they, in the ship, were in the same condition, but not occupied with the same spiritual exercise. When they first left the shore, it was fair sailing in the cool of the evening; but a storm gathered hastily as night covered the sky. On the lake of Galilee, the wind rushes down from the gullies between the mountains and causes grievous peril to little boats, sometimes fairly lifting them out of the water, and at other times submerging them beneath the waves. That deep lake was peculiarly dangerous for small craft. They were far from land, for they were in the midst of the sea, equally distant from either shore.

The sea was furious and their ship was tossed with waves. The hurricane was terrible. The wind was contrary, and would not let them go to any place which they sought. It was a whirlwind, and they were whirled about by it, but could not use it for reaching either shore.

How much did their case resemble ours when we are in severe distress! We are tossed about and can do nothing; the blast is too furious for us to withstand it, or even to live while driven before it.

One happy fact remains: Jesus is pleading on the shore though we are struggling on the sea. It is also comfortable to know that we are where he constrained us to go , and he has promised to come to us in due time. Therefore, all must be safe, though the tempest rages terribly.

While Jesus was alone, they, in the ship, were in the same situation but not engaged in the same spiritual exercise. When they first left the shore, it was smooth sailing in the cool of the evening, but a storm gathered quickly as night covered the sky. On the Lake of Galilee, the wind rushes down from the gullies between the mountains and causes grave danger to small boats, sometimes lifting them completely out of the water and at other times submerging them beneath the waves. That deep lake was particularly dangerous for small craft.

They were far from land, for they were in the midst of the sea, equally distant from either shore. The sea was furious, and their ship was tossed with waves. The hurricane was terrible. The wind was contrary, and would not let them go to any place they sought. It was a whirlwind, and they were whirled about by it but could not use it to reach either shore.

How much their situation resembled ours when we are in severe distress! We are tossed about and can do nothing. The blast is too furious for us to bear up against it or even to survive while driven before it.

One happy fact remains: Jesus is pleading on the shore even though we are struggling on the sea. It is also comforting to know that we are where He compelled us to go (see verse 22), and He has promised to come to us in due time. Therefore, all must be safe, even though the tempest rages terribly.