“What kind of man is this? Even the winds and
the waves obey him!” Matthew
8:27
Early
in the books of Matthew (Matthew 8:23-27) and Mark (Mark
4:35-41) we see a
familiar story whose power often goes unnoticed. In this narrative we are witness to a
miraculous account. Jesus and His
disciples are traveling across the Sea of Galilee, a large lake known for
sudden squalls when a storm arose which was violent enough to
endanger their lives. The vessel was being tossed about by the
winds and was covered with the waves so that it was fast filling and in
danger of sinking. The disciples knowing the
danger stood on the boat terrified while Jesus slept calmly below. In desperation, the disciples call to Jesus
to save them. Upon hearing their fear, Jesus
arises, calming the fears of His followers first and then rebukes the storm. Scripture tell us that those on the boat
stood amazed at the man before them who could, with mere words, command nature.
In
this story we catch a glimpse of power and majesty of our Savior. We see one who has command over the natural
world. We see one unlike ourselves and this
is the detail we often overlook. Jesus
Christ, though fully man was also fully God.
It seems that so many in today’s world envision a Savior and a God who
is a good deal like us. Nothing could be
farther from the truth. God is unlike
anything we know and more than we can even imagine. It is important that we remember this
truth. I often tell the youth that we must
“right size God.” My brother and sisters
in Christ, we should be amazed each instance we think of our God. I ask you this, have you lost your sense of
wonder when you think of our Lord and Savior?
If so, dive headfirst into the Scripture and get another glimpse at the
one who astonished the disciples and who daily renders me speechless.