Post by foxjj on Jul 19, 2018 6:11:30 GMT
A Storm On The Lake
The Lake of Galilee, (sometimes called Sea of Galilee) is a pear shaped body of water 13 miles long by 8 miles wide. Towering above the eastern shore the Golan Heights look out over the valleys of the region which has seen so much conflict down through history. King Herod Antipas founded a city on the western shore and named it Tiberias in honour of the Emperor, thereby giving the lake another name - the lake of Tiberias. Known for fishing, the lake is also known for the storms that can suddenly arise on it. On one occasion, Jesus and His disciples were caught in one of these storms as recorded in Mark 4:35-41.
“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
In this story we see the human side of Jesus portrayed in the fact that He was so tired after ministering all day that He slepth through a violent storm. Upon been awakened, we once more see the Divine side of Jesus as He commands the storm to cease. These passages also show the understandable confusion of the disciples who have been in close company with Jesus. They have lived with, and consequently thought that they know the human Jesus - the man who gets weary and hungry. On the other hand, they had seen the great wonders that their teacher had performed. Surely no mere man can perform the miracles that they have witnessed. Now, to their total amazement He commands the wind and sea, and these violent elements obey him.
There can only be one answer to the disciples question: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” These men would be familiar with the Psalm’s description of God: “who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.” (Psalm 65:7-8) The answer to their question is found in the angels words to Mary when informing her that she - a virgin - would bear a son: “And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
To you and I in our times of unbelief and fears, Jesus question is still: “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” It is important in our daily lives to remember that Jesus hears our every prayer, and is with you and I throughout every storm of our lives. Remember His words in John 14:1: “I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
Today, let us praise The Father for our Savior.
The Lake of Galilee, (sometimes called Sea of Galilee) is a pear shaped body of water 13 miles long by 8 miles wide. Towering above the eastern shore the Golan Heights look out over the valleys of the region which has seen so much conflict down through history. King Herod Antipas founded a city on the western shore and named it Tiberias in honour of the Emperor, thereby giving the lake another name - the lake of Tiberias. Known for fishing, the lake is also known for the storms that can suddenly arise on it. On one occasion, Jesus and His disciples were caught in one of these storms as recorded in Mark 4:35-41.
“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
In this story we see the human side of Jesus portrayed in the fact that He was so tired after ministering all day that He slepth through a violent storm. Upon been awakened, we once more see the Divine side of Jesus as He commands the storm to cease. These passages also show the understandable confusion of the disciples who have been in close company with Jesus. They have lived with, and consequently thought that they know the human Jesus - the man who gets weary and hungry. On the other hand, they had seen the great wonders that their teacher had performed. Surely no mere man can perform the miracles that they have witnessed. Now, to their total amazement He commands the wind and sea, and these violent elements obey him.
There can only be one answer to the disciples question: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” These men would be familiar with the Psalm’s description of God: “who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.” (Psalm 65:7-8) The answer to their question is found in the angels words to Mary when informing her that she - a virgin - would bear a son: “And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
To you and I in our times of unbelief and fears, Jesus question is still: “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” It is important in our daily lives to remember that Jesus hears our every prayer, and is with you and I throughout every storm of our lives. Remember His words in John 14:1: “I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
Today, let us praise The Father for our Savior.