Tag: who is this?
Who is this Man?
Scripture reading for February 20th: Mark 4:26-5:20, Psalms 37:29-40, Proverbs 10:6-7
“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” (Mark 4:37-41)
Jesus and His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee at night with some other boats. They had just finished a long day of ministry and teaching and Jesus was tired. He fell asleep on a cushion in the back of the boat. A sudden storm broke over the waters and threatened the boat. It so frightened even the seasoned fishermen among them that they woke Jesus up! They had learned that Jesus had authority over many things and could not understand why He was asleep during this crisis that needed His attention.
Jesus, upon awakening, stood up in the tossing boat and addressed the wind and the waves, commanding them to be quiet. Immediately, it became calm! This dramatic turn of events brought amazement to these terrified disciples. Jesus questioned them about their faith and why they were afraid. They wondered out loud about who this Man was who could speak to wind and wave and they would obey! (Mark 4:41)
Many Christians encounter storms that cause them to be afraid and doubt. They often feel like the Master is sleeping and does not care about them. They try to wake Him up with their prayers of anguish in the midst of the storm. It is never wrong to pray, but why be afraid? Has He not given us faith? And given us authority as well? Faith should move us to take action. If you are in a storm today, take a promise from God’s word and speak over your problem. (Mark 11:22-24) Speak with authority and don’t doubt God will back up His word! When we know Who it is that is in our boat, we can stay calm and act in the authority He gave us!
Extravagant love!
Scripture reading for March 27th: Luke 7:36-8:3
“When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” (Luke 7:37-38) This was a woman with a bad reputation that those present knew about. She had come to seek out Jesus and lavish on Him a display of love. She was moved to the point of weeping a flow of tears so profuse that they literally wet the feet of Jesus so that she could wash them and dry them with her own hair. She then showered those feet with kisses to show her appreciation for the ‘good news’ that those feet brought into her life! (Isaiah 52:7)
Her extravagant display was not appreciated by those religious folks who watched from across the table. Their thoughts went to her sinful life and to wondering that if Jesus were such a ‘man of God’, why was he allowing this sinner to touch Him? (Luke 7:39) Jesus then told them a small parable about two men who owed a moneylender a small and a large amount of money. Because they had no money, this moneylender canceled both debts. Jesus’ question for them, “Now which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:42) The logical answer was chosen–the one who had the largest debt canceled!
Jesus commended them for their perspicuity, and went on to point out that they had not even given Him the common respect of washing His feet as an honored guest, yet this woman had lavished on Him personal washing from her own tears. They had not greeted Him with a kiss, but this woman kissed His feet! Extravagant love comes from being forgiven much! (Luke 7:47)
If we only realized how much we have been forgiven! Or our need of forgiveness! Our sins are piled as high as the heavens and our reputation in heaven is known! We have a Savior who will abundantly pardon if we will humbly come to Him in faith! Faith works by love! Have you received this pardon? Have you gone humbly and thankfully to Him? Today is the day to show extravagant love!