How do you see similarities between the story of Jesus and Jonah between verses 23-25?

Like Jonah, there is a violent storm that threatens their lives. Like Jonah, Jesus is down in the boat asleep. Like Jonah, Jesus gets woken up to the fears of seamen afraid for their lives. However, unlike Jonah, Jesus is obediently going to the gentiles to proclaim the kingdom of God. Jesus is trusting in his Father and obediently following him. Jesus is the better prophet that was faithful to the Father where Jonah was not.

What question did the disciples ask after Jesus calmed the wind and waves? v27

The disciples asked each other, “what sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him?” This is what Matthew is wanting us know. He wants us to think about these miracles and ask ourselves, who is this messiah and why should I follow him?

What title did the demon-possessed men give to Jesus? Why was this important? v29

The demon-possessed men said to Jesus, “O Son of God”. In Mark, they said “Son of the Most High God”. The demons knew the identity of Jesus. They knew exactly who he was. They even knew that he was the one that would judge them. This was important because it was showing and confirming the identity of Jesus as the divine Son of God that was being recognized by nature, by the demonic, and eventually by the disciples too.

How did the people respond when they saw the miracle Jesus did by casting out demons? why? v34

They begged Jesus to leave their country. The Bible doesn’t exactly say why they did this. We can come up with several reasons. However, it seemed like the most likely reason was that if Jesus had conquered over the demons, then he was more powerful than they were. If the demons caused so much trouble and heartache to the men and to the town before, then Jesus would cause even more because he was more powerful. This shows the blindness of the people and the spiritual darkness they were in. They did not realize the goodness and glory of the Son of God who was in their midst! They wanted him to leave, and so he did. Later, the message of Jesus would be preached in this area later and many people would come to believe in Christ, but for now, they asked him to leave. They were terrified of this display of divine power.

How does this story show us more of who Jesus is?

This story shows us that Jesus has power over the natural realm. This shows us he has power over the supernatural realm. This shows us that he has the power to control and show his sovereignty over all. He is the divine Son of God. He is God in the flesh. He is the one who has come to free us from the curse of sin and the curse of death. He is the one who will free us from bondage to Satan and service to him, just like he delivered the demon-possessed men. Praise God that he delivers us from the domain of darkness into his Kingdom.

How should we respond to who Jesus is and to his divine power?

We should live in service to him, knowing that Jesus ransomed us and delivered us from our slavery to sin and Satan, for his own glory. How can you dedicate your life to Jesus more today? How can you praise him and show that he is worthy of our worship. Jesus did these miracles to bring glory to God and to show who he is. He helped the disciples understand more of who he was, and for them to show greater trust and faith in him. How can you trust more in him today?