What kind of man is this?

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 8:23-27

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:27)
For the first time I’ve seen the connection between this story and Jonah.
The disciples come to Jesus: “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Matthew 8:25)
The sailors come to Jonah: “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god!
Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.” (Jonah 1:6)

The disciples thought of Jesus like the sailors thought of Jonah
A holy man, close to God, who could get God to act on his behalf.
They had faith in Jesus as a holy man, but not as God’s messiah.
This story seems to be saying “something greater than Jonah is here.” (Matthew 12:41)
Jesus does not need to be thrown into the sea, he just commands the storm to stop.
Again and again the disciples realize that Jesus is more than just another prophet.
After his death, resurrection and ascension, it dawned on them that he was ‘God with us’.
A man like us, yet not a man like us, connected to God in a way no one else is.
This is how I experience Jesus: truly human, yet more than just human.
Jesus shows me that God has taken notice of us, so that we will not perish!
PRAYER
Lord, I am still afraid, my faith is still little, but I cling to you as someone to save us, to calm the storm so that we will not perish. This is the kind of man you are!

2 Comments

  1. “why are you so afraid?” I often ask myself that. I get anxious easily. I either can not find my sleep or I wake up in the middle of the night and my apprehensions or concerns overwhelm me so that I don’t sleep. I often will get up and I spend some time in prayer – and if I can do anything then – write something or do something else that will help me prepare for the upcoming thing I’m stewing about – and then I am able to go back to bed and go back to sleep. Sure the news bothers me, the separation actions that often come in our churches when orthodoxy is put on a pedestal beyond simply helping us learn that the practice of faith is always going to be a struggle for every believer and therefore we are going to have differences. Rather, I believe we need to ‘man’ the oars together especially in controversy trusting in Jesus together no matter what our views and background. Accept that we are not all applying scriptural teaching the same nor are we at the same stage in our faith walk. It bothers me – yes Lord help to be able to sleep in peace in a rocky boat – knowing that you know and that you care!

  2. Jesus is the answer.
    Where do I go with my needs? Where do I go with my fears? My storms in life will pass. I need to remain faithful and simply trust and stay strong. God knows my needs, my every needs. And He will give me the strength to endure. I can do all things in Him Who gives me strength. Jesus Saviour pilot me.

    Jesus, Savior, pilot me
    Over life’s tempestuous sea;
    Unknown waves before me roll,
    Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal;
    Chart and compass come from Thee;
      Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

    As a mother stills her child,
    Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
    Boist’rous waves obey Thy will
    When Thou say’st to them, “Be still.”
    Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea,
      Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

    Though death’s valley I may pass,
    Still Thy grace will fear surpass;
    In Thy presence I will rest,
    And, while leaning on Thy breast,
    I will hear Thee say to me,
      “Fear not, I will pilot thee.”

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