WHO IS THIS MAN?
Opening Prayer
For the countless ways you prove your faithfulness to me, Lord God, thank you.
Read LUKE 8:22-25
Jesus Calms the Storm
22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Remember Jesus is with you whatever the ‘storms’ you face today.Have you ever struggled to move from the classroom to real life? Perhaps a foreign language was easy with the teacher, but when you traveled to that country, it suddenly seemed so much harder. Sometimes Jesus takes us from the classroom to the laboratory of real life!
In the first part of this chapter, Luke had presented sayings of Jesus that point to the importance of listening to him. Now, he transitions into a sequence of events that will demonstrate his authority. This first event is recorded in brief, but leaves us with lingering questions.
It’s a familiar story, briefly told. Jesus and the disciples are in a boat. There is a dangerous storm, but Jesus is asleep. They wake him in panic. Then Jesus stands, stops the storm, and questions their faith. After all his teaching about the importance of listening, perhaps Jesus expects them to have translated hearing into faith. Maybe, as this section continues, what they see and hear will stir greater faith in them.
The response of the disciples is worth noting. Jesus asked, ‘Where is your faith?’ Their response? ‘Who is this?’ They see his authority over creation, and it stirs them to ponder his identity. As we continue through this section, let’s be looking to see Jesus in action. We need to keep answering that same question: who is he?
Apply
Who is Jesus? Where is your faith? Be intentional about having that question linger in your thoughts and heart.
Closing prayer
Father, I confess that sometimes my faith wains in even the smallest of circumstances. Forgive me. Holy Spirit, build my faith.
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