Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Authority {Through the Eyes of a Child}

Last night before bedtime, Sarah, our seven year old, was reading in her The Beginners Bible the story of where Jesus spoke to the storm and it stopped.

"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  

And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, 'Master carest thou not that we perish?'  

And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, 'Peace, be still,'  and there was a great calm." Mark 4:37-39

After the story, Sarah said, "The storm was like His kid and He was the parent.  The storm had to obey Him."

Children see things so clearly and simply.

Sarah was right on in her theological interpretation of this passage.  No degrees. No doctorates.  Only Jesus and an open heart.

Jesus' authority was also simple for the centurion to understand in Matthew 8:8-10.  He understood, as a man who was in authority over soldiers, that Jesus only needed to speak the word and his servant would be healed.

If only our faith would be as strong as a child's or the centurion!

In Mark 4, the boat was being overtaken with waves, to the point where it was full of water. Everyone was panicking.  Jesus was sleeping.

Jesus was the One who suggested they go out in the boat.  He knew the storm would come.  Yet, He slept.  Did He sleep because He didn't care?  No.  He slept in peace because He knew the storm would not overtake them.  He knew the waves would have to fall at His command.

I don't know why Jesus waited to be woken before stopping the storm.  Maybe it is significant that the disciples finally went to Him after first panicking for minutes or even hours.

I wonder how many storms we find ourselves beaten, tossed around and panicking before turning to Jesus. Do we wait until the point where our boat is full of water and almost sinking before calling on the One who can calm the storm?

Are you in a storm today?  Does it seem like Jesus is sleeping and you wonder if He even cares that you are sinking? He cares.  Don't be afraid. 

He is in the boat with you.  There is no reason to fear with Jesus in the boat.  With the faith of a child, wake Him.  With the boldness of the centurion, ask Him to help.

Whatever storm you are going through, it must obey Him.  Call on Him in faith and hear Him say, "Peace, be still."







 









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