Who Is This Man?

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. 23 As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25 Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” (Luke 8:22-25 NLT)

At Jesus suggestion, he and his disciples got into a boat and started across to the other side of the lake. We’ll find out a few verses along that they were headed for the region of the Gerasenes. It was about 10 miles across so Jesus settled down for a nap. Soon a fierce storm came up, the boat was filling up with water, and they were in real danger!

The panicked disciples woke Jesus! He told the wind and waves to settle down and suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Jesus, I think with a big grin on his face, asked them “Where is your faith!”

Legitimate Question 1: Where is your faith? I think their faith was underwater! They realized that they were in imminent danger of capsizing, sinking, and drowning. Their faith was drowning and they were really afraid. But they did the right thing. When you’re in a storm, about to sink, wake up Jesus! The result is that Jesus calmed the storm and everything was alright. Their faith in Jesus grew a lot right then!

The disciples were terrified and amazed. Sometimes it takes a little “terrified” to produce amazement. We like smooth sailing. We get in the boat. We sail across the lake. We arrive safely. Uneventful trip. But the storm made the story!

Legitimate Question 2: Who is this man? The purpose of their discipleship was to learn the answer to that question. To see his power. To witness his compassion. To touch him and be touched by him. That’s the purpose of our discipleship as well. To answer that question. To know him. To touch him and be touched by him.

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for the stories that help us answer “Who Is This Man?” Thank you for the experiences in which we are sometimes terrified and always amazed. May we truly know him and be known by him, touch him and be touched by him. Amen.