Matthew 5:1-2 MSG, Matthew 8:1 MSG, Matthew 8:23 MSG and Matthew 8:27 MSG

Jesus came down from the mountain. He'd been spending a lot of time in ministry and needed to move elsewhere to spend some time teaching those who "were apprenticed to Him", according to the Message, the committed.

Jesus spent time teaching the disciples, the committed various principles (Matthew 5-7)

In Matthew 8, Jesus came down from the mountain (a place of retreat) and immediately large crowds followed him, desiring Jesus to work, heal, teach.

Following his time of 'retreat' with his Disciples, Jesus not only proceeded to do great miracles, but He expected more from His Disciples. In Matthew 8:23, Jesus requested of his disciples to follow him (out into the boat). This required them to a) give up their own lives, leave them behind, and b) to have faith once they were out on that boat that Jesus could and would calm the storms.

Even after spending so much time with Jesus under his direct teaching and witnessing His miracles they were still unaware of exactly who Jesus was.

NASB:
27 The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

The Message:
27 The men rubbed their eyes, astonished. “What’s going on here? Wind and sea come to heel at his command!”

Application:
Just like Jesus we often need times of refreshment, of direct teaching. Times of encouragement. Times to reignite our passion for the Kingdom of God.
These times might come in the form of leadership training, church camps, mission trips, or even personal holidays that give us time to reflect and consider where God is directing us.
But we need to remember that when we come off that mountain, that we need to be bold and courageous to move with the Power and Authority that comes directly from Christ.
As soon as we come down from that mountain, there may be no more time to reflect. God may require our immediate availability. Our willingness to respond to his call without tarrying.