Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 3-4 HCSB

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Thoughts

In chapter 4, the disciples came to wake Jesus because they were afraid of the storm at sea. They were afraid for their lives. They were panicked. What happened next? Jesus He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still! ” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?” 

And what does it say next? “And they were terrified.”

Remember a few days ago I talked about how we take God the Father too lightly because of the grace we receive from Jesus’ shed blood? Here we have the disciples who have spent a great deal of time with Jesus, and one would assume they knew him fairly well by now. And they were terrified. Not afraid. Not panicked. Terrified.

Beloved, I don’t know about you, but I usually think of the disciples at this point in their education from Jesus as just not having as good an understanding of who Jesus is as I do. I know, that sounds presumptuous. And I’m sure it is. But hear me out.

I met a fellow yesterday, and as it turned out, he is a believer. In our conversation, he brought up this very parable. And in our discussion, he pointed out that at first the disciples were terrified of the storm. But when Jesus calmed the storm with just His word, they were terrified of Him.

And that got me to thinking.

I usually think of Jesus as being generally soft spoken and easy going. Strong, to be sure, but not someone with an intimidating demeanor. Certainly not someone to engender terror. 

But maybe I have it wrong. I must have it wrong, don’t you think? I mean, if the disciples, who lived with Him, were terrified, maybe there is something about Jesus that I have overlooked. 

And of course, there is. Jesus is not just a man. Jesus is God. He is fully human, and fully God. And since that is true, Jesus has every bit of power that God the Father has, and is just as offended by my sin as the Father is.

And talk about power! Colossians 1:17 tells us that “…He holds all creation together.” ALL creation. Think of it. Without the power of Jesus, all of creation…You. Me. The Earth. The Sun. The Moon. The Stars. ALL CREATION…would come apart. The only reason I am here is because He allows it. If I am honest with myself, I should be at least a little terrified of Him.

It is only because of His unfathomable love that the terror I should feel is balanced with the peace that passes all understanding that He gives to me. He has promised that because I have placed my faith in Him, I have been adopted into His family, and I am secure and safe today, tomorrow and all the tomorrows to follow. 

I can rest in that. And I do, but I also have a new appreciation for the unmeasurable, infinite, and awesome power of my Savior.