Day 23, Lord over Creation, Luke 8:22-25

Luke 8:22-56 contains four miracles by Jesus.  These miracles demonstrate the truth of Jesus’ claims and message.  In one sense we can say these are here as a sampling of Jesus’ miracles.  As John points out, Jesus performed many miracles, most of which were not recorded in the gospels (Jn. 21:25).  But, of course, Luke was inspired by the Holy Spirit; thus these serve His purposes.

What was Jesus’ typical approach to performing miracles?  The answer is, there is NO typical approach.  He didn’t always ask the sick to believe; sometimes the miracle came before the faith as with the demoniac.  Sometimes He touched the sick, sometimes He simply spoke, and so forth.  We should understand this: ministry is not canned, something to be replicated.  Rather, what was typical of Jesus’ miracles is that He was filled with and led by the Holy Spirit.  There is simply no replacement for Spirit-led people in ministry.

Let us consider the first two miracles.

·        Jesus calms a storm, 8:22-25. 

o The trial: The disciples are in a dangerous situation; storms on the Sea of Galilee were common and could be deadly.  (Note the sign on the Promenade at Tiberias of a destructive storm in 1934.)

o   The miracle:  Jesus spoke to the storm.  How amazing.  Storms are not living, with an ability to hear.  But …

o   The authority: Jesus has authority over the storm.  He demonstrates that He is the Creator, LORD of heaven and earth.  

o   The response: 

§  Jesus first challenges the disciples for their lack of faith in God.  He was on the boat; even if He was asleep they should have been able to trust God and not given in to their fear.

§  The response of the disciples is to stand in awe of this Man they were following.  They asked the right question: Who can this be?

It is not unusual that we find ourselves in the occasional dangerous situation.  Jesus, in this miracle, demonstrates His authority over creation or nature or natural disasters as we call them.  We clearly see His divine capability, that He could speak to the storm even as He spoke all things into existence (Gen. 1).  We do not have a promise that He will always stop the storm; we do have the promise He will never leave us in more storm than we can handle by His power (1 Cor. 10:13).  As we write this many in our country are reeling from the latest hurricane season.  Jesus question in all of these situations is: where is your faith?  In whom or what have you placed your confidence?