Rembrandt 1633
I've been thinking about the 2 times that Jesus calmed the storms at sea. The first time he was in the boat, sound asleep. A storm came up and the disciples got scared so they woke him up. Jesus just rebuked the storm and it stopped. The 2nd time, the disciples were alone in the boat. Jesus had told them to go to the other side of the sea. This time, Jesus walked on the water to them. You remember the story; Peter got out of the boat and walked to Jesus, but he became frightened when he looked at the waves and started to sink. Jesus helped him and calmed the storm. There are so many lessons from these stories. But there are two ideas that came to me this week about these stories:
1. Jesus was with them the first time. Then he allowed them to go into a storm seemingly alone the second time. Often as new believers we get to have Jesus right there, johnny-on-the-spot when we face a trial. But sometimes later, he allows us to face similar things when it seems he is far away (but he really isn't). When it was all over, Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith. Maybe in that second storm, Jesus wanted them to rebuke the storm, as they had seen him do previously. After all, he had commissioned them to preach the gospel and heal the sick as he did. What might have happened that night if one of them had stood up and told the storm to cease?
2. Both of these storms preceeded an unprecidented demonstration of God's power. The first time, they got out of the boat and met a demoniac who was marvelously delivered. The second time everyone in the land of Gennesaret were healed when they were brought to Jesus - many just by touching the hem of his garment.
Are you in the middle of a storm and wondering why? You are quite likely just hours or days away from the greatest display of God's power in your life. Satan would love to destroy you before that happens, but he can't because Jesus is in your boat. Stand up and rebuke that storm in Jesus' name. Then look for great things to happen.
References Matthew 9:24-34 and Matthew 14: 22-36
1. Jesus was with them the first time. Then he allowed them to go into a storm seemingly alone the second time. Often as new believers we get to have Jesus right there, johnny-on-the-spot when we face a trial. But sometimes later, he allows us to face similar things when it seems he is far away (but he really isn't). When it was all over, Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith. Maybe in that second storm, Jesus wanted them to rebuke the storm, as they had seen him do previously. After all, he had commissioned them to preach the gospel and heal the sick as he did. What might have happened that night if one of them had stood up and told the storm to cease?
2. Both of these storms preceeded an unprecidented demonstration of God's power. The first time, they got out of the boat and met a demoniac who was marvelously delivered. The second time everyone in the land of Gennesaret were healed when they were brought to Jesus - many just by touching the hem of his garment.
Are you in the middle of a storm and wondering why? You are quite likely just hours or days away from the greatest display of God's power in your life. Satan would love to destroy you before that happens, but he can't because Jesus is in your boat. Stand up and rebuke that storm in Jesus' name. Then look for great things to happen.
References Matthew 9:24-34 and Matthew 14: 22-36
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