Storms – Luke 8:22-25

On January 6, 2020, rioters, many carrying signs advertising Jesus, stormed the Capitol building and threatened the representatives, senators, pages and police officers inside.  There is a growing fear among some Christians that the political storm of liberalism is going to crush Christian faith.  Is that possible?

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”  (Luke 8:22-25 ESV)

The question on the disciples’ lips is the same one everyone must answer about Jesus.  “Who is this?”  But the question comes to mind because of what we witness about Jesus.  The disciples witnessed a miracle of power and authority.  Jesus rebuked the wind and waves as if they reported to him and in this case had done a bad thing.  To see them instantly calm was scary, even as it was amazing.  But how will people today get to witness Jesus’ power and authority?

Jesus also rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith.  They readily believed that God was going to allow the Messiah to drown, along with them, in the Sea of Galilee.  They really believed that the kingdom of God was not powerful enough to handle a storm.  The disciples had seen Jesus’ power first hand and up close.  They should have believed.

When we do believe Jesus and the promise of the kingdom, we act in ways that cause others to see and marvel at who Jesus is.  We put the question on their lips, “Who is this.”  We demonstrate love when there should have been hatred, generosity when others would be stingy, contentment rather than fear, joy in the midst of a storm, and even miracles of power in Jesus’ name.  Does my life cause others to wonder who Jesus is?

 

P.S., I have written a new book, John 1:1 and the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is free here to download as a pdf.