(KJV.) MATTHEW 8:23-27
(23) And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
(24) And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
(25) And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
(26) And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
(27) But the men marvel led, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?
WHAT MANNER OF MAN IS JESUS?
Case in point, (23) And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. Christian believers, it is very important for us to take time to rest from our labors; the Father rested on the seventh day after creation (Genesis 2:2); we can also notice in the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that many times after hard work, will withdraw himself into a quiet place to rest, to get in touch with the Father by prayer; in this text, he entered into a ship but his disciples followed him; as soon as he laid down to rest, he fell asleep; (24) And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. Brethren, this is time of testing of faith for his disciples; Firstly, let us ask ourselves these questions, (i) how could the great tempest arose at sea against the ship, when the light of the world, Jesus Christ was on the ship asleep? I believe the enemy had done this to disturb his sleep but he was not disturb at all; also, the tempest came as a test of faith for his disciples but their faith was not strong enough to rebuke the storm themselves and was afraid of perishing at sea; (ii) how come the great tempest in the sea, which covered the ship with waves, did not disturb Jesus from sleeping but the disciples had to wake him up from his sleep to rebuke the storm? I believe that Jesus was sleeping at the bottom part of the ship, though he was asleep, he knew what was going on through his spirits but entrusted in his disciples to exercise their faith over the tempest of the sea but the disciples lacked confidence in themselves that they could actually calm the tempest of the sea themselves without Jesus around to encourage them; also there were others who were not disciples on the ship; may be, they might not want to be put to shame, if they were unable to calm the tempest of the sea with their own authorities.
Points ponder, (25) And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. let us study this verse in segments; (a) And his disciples came to him, Jesus disciples had seen him preached the gospel of the kingdom of heaven, heard his encouragements to have faith in themselves to move mountains; why were they lacking faith to calm the tempest of the sea and coming to him for help to calm the storm? First of all, I believe that because they knew that Jesus has powers to do all things and he was on the ship with them, they did not make efforts to exercise their own authorities over the tempest of the sea. Secondly, I believe that they have faith in Jesus more than themselves; let us have faith in Jesus! Thirdly, Jesus was still on earth with them and the resurrection powers of the Holy Spirit to perform miracles, signs and wonders had not be given unto them yet, (b) and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us; we perish. Lord save us; we perish?. How could the disciples, fear the tempest of the sea and panicked for their lives when the Savior of the world was on the ship with them? Again, they feared for their lives because of lack of faith that they can do all things through Christ who strengthen them. (Philippians 4:13). (26) And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. Jesus asked his disciples, "why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? the disciples were fearful of the tempest of the sea because of lack of faith in themselves that they can exercise authorities over the tempest and it will obey them. (2 Timothy 1:7); Christian, we need to have faith in Jesus to please him; for without faith it is impossible to please him. (Hebrew 11:6); not just faith in him alone but also to exercise our faith by trusting and believing that all things can be accomplish with faith in his righteousness. (Matthew 17:20).
Fruits of thoughts, (27) But the men marvel led, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him? everyone on the ship marvelled saying, What manner of man is Jesus? (i) Jesus is the Son of God. (John 20:31). (ii) He is the truest light of the world, (John 8:12). (iii) He is the Redeemer of the world. (Galatians 3:13). Jesus disciples had faith in him that if he is with them on the ship, nothing bad could happen to them; for he can calm the tempest of the sea, and that was the reason why they did not try to calm the tempest themselves but woke him up from his sleep to exercise his authority over the tempestuous sea. Praise be to his Holy Name forevermore!
CONCLUSION:
Brethren, today's lesson is an encouragement to all Christian believers that though we have faith in Jesus, enough faith to be his followers, at times, we will face life challenges whereby we will have to escalate our faiths in him to higher levels to overcome whatever mountains of difficulties life brings along our ways; no matter what our setbacks are in life currently, beloved, let us know for facts that though it might seem like Jesus is sleeping on us, he is not sleeping at all; but he has plans to bring all things together for good for them that love God, ........(Romans 8:28); let us have faith in Jesus, that he is able to clam all tempests of our seas and grant us peace, joy and life everlasting. Amen and Amen!
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
(KJV.) Psalm 46:10-11 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.....The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Ja'cob is our refuge. Se'lah.
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