Why did he do it? Why did Jesus walk out to his disciples in the middle of a storm? Was he pressed for time? In all that I known about Jesus I have never seen that he was ever in a hurry. Was he fearful for his disciples? I see nothing in Jesus to indicate he was ever fearful. Besides, many of those disciples were seasoned fishermen. I am certain they knew how to weather a storm. Was it simply a matter of convenience, a faster way to reach his disciples? I highly doubt it. This is the same Jesus who refused to turn the stones to bread near the end of his long fast in the desert. No, there was greater purpose in this miracle than simply a convenient way to get around. We find it near the end of the account of the miracle:
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:32-33)
This was one of those miracles with the purpose of glorifying Jesus, as Jesus revealed his glory to his disciples. There were no crowds around, just his chosen followers, and this was a miracle to bring them into further knowledge of who Jesus was. Did you notice that the storm disappeared after they climbed into the boat. There was no further need for it; Jesus had made his point.
There are some miracles that have no other purpose than to provoke the question, "Who is this Jesus?" The world has stopped asking that question. They figure they know all there is to know. I talk with people who discredit the Word of God because of its many translations, not understanding the Holy Spirit in all of it. They are practical people, believing only in what they see. They do not note any difference between believers and non-believers because believers have forgotten how to live by the Spirit. I am one of the worse perpetrators of this faithless and powerless crime. I didn't even have enough guttso to get out of the boat as Peter did. I have failed to demonstrate to the world the power of Christ in my life to overcome the simplest things. I have been humbled by a failed marriage and bankruptcy. How am I any different then my unsaved neighbour? Where did I demonstrate the power of Jesus to do miracles in my life? Where did I demonstrate any faith? I have heard those words, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
I am changing though. Jesus never gave up on me. He has continued to teach me and reveal himself to me and now I am convinced that the salvation of the lost depends on our willingness to allow the power of God to work through us. Jesus wants to glorify himself in the miracles of our lives but also in the miracles he directs us to do in the lives of others. The world has moved on from Sunday School stories but they need to come into the knowledge that the Word of God is more than a book. The world requires the Word to come in the authority and power of Jesus Christ. It is how Paul brought it to those who would not recognize the authority of the Word:
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)
It is unfortunate that the world has reduced our Holy Scriptures to a book of wisdom for living a good life. That is not who my Jesus is. He is the greatest authority in and out of all of creation. Everything has been placed under his feet and a time will come when every man, woman and child will have to acknowledge his authority. We need to work to make sure that as many people are able to do this willingly as possible. We want people to see Jesus in all his authority today so that on that day they will have great joy instead of great fear.
The salvation of the lost depends on your willingness to allow the power of God to work in you and through you. It depends on your willingness to allow that power to be revealed in your weaknesses as well as your strengths. It depends on your willingness to trust the God who split the sea and raised the dead. It depends on your willingness to pray over the sick and dying and see miracles worked through you. It depends on your willingness to claim Jesus' authority over your life and everyone and everything belonging to you. It depends on your willingness to allow Jesus to be glorified through all these things, to allow him to be lifted up by the Spirit in your life. Only when Jesus is glorified will people start trusting the authority of God's Word. However he chooses to reveal himself to the lost, you must be willing to allow that power to flow through you.
He's the same God. He's the same Lord. He's the same Saviour. He's the same one who cast out demons, taught with authority, healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead, walked on the water and told us that we would do greater things. My friend, it isn't about you. It's about your obedience and willingness to allow Jesus to be glorified through you. It's about Jesus and his great passion for the lost. It's about them. Allow Jesus to work through you today, to touch the hearts of the lost by his power and Word. Today is the day of salvation. Yesterday was the day of encouragement and equipping; today is the day of work.
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