Matthew 8:18-28

18 When Jesus saw that a curious crowd was growing by the minute, he told his disciples to get him out of there to the other side of the lake.
19 As they left, a religion scholar asked if he could go along. "I'll go with you, wherever," he said.
20 Jesus was curt: "Are you ready to rough it? We're not staying in the best inns, you know."
21 Another follower said, "Master, excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have my father's funeral to take care of."
22 Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life."
23 Then he got in the boat, his disciples with him.
24 The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. Waves were crashing into the boat - and he was sound asleep!
25 They roused him, pleading, "Master, save us! We're going down!"
26 Jesus reprimanded them. "Why are you such cowards, such faint-hearts?" Then he stood up and told the wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down: "Silence!" The sea became smooth as glass.
27 The men rubbed their eyes, astonished. "What's going on here? Wind and sea come to heel at his command!"
28 They landed in the country of the Gadarenes and were met by two madmen, victims of demons, coming out of the cemetery. The men had terrorized the region for so long that no one considered it safe to walk down that stretch of road anymore.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.