WHO IS JESUS?

 

Who is this man?  - Matt 8:23-27

 

Background

 

1. One day as Jesus was ministering He felt it was time to go to the other side of the lake.  The Sea of Galilee is actually just an average size lake but prone to violent storms.  While they were traveling He fell asleep in the boat and while He was sleeping a terrible storm blew in and this storm was unusual so much that the disciples who were experienced sailors and fishermen of the region were quite afraid.  They woke Jesus up and He rebuked the wind and the waves.  All became calm and the disciples marveled at Jesus.  They asked the question, “Who is this man that even the elements obey Him?”

 

In this Story we learn three things.

 

1. Jesus was no ordinary man.  The severity of the storm suggests it had a

        supernatural origin.  Could satan have been behind the storm?  The fact that Jesus    

        rebuked the storm would be a good indicator. 

 

a.      Jesus  is the creator of the universe, through Him all things are sustained, so what

       is a little storm?  Here is a little thought.  When you are going through a little storm,    

       don’t forget who is in the boat with you.

b.      Here is a reality that we learn from this story.  All things are subject to Jesus.  His authority extends to all aspects of life.  The reaction of the disciples was not unlike our own reaction to things beyond our control.  We panic, fear and feel helpless.  Like them we call out to the Lord. 

c.      In times of storms remember.  Matt 28:20, He is with us.  1 Cor 10:13, He will give us a means of escape.  2 Tim 1:7, instead of fear we will have love, power and a sound mind. 

 

 

2. The second lesson we learn it that God is in our midst.  No matter what we face we have the promise of divine help and intervention.  You are not alone.  You may not understand what is happening but can walk in faith.  Trust God and His promises.  Last week we talked about learning from our past.  If God has been faithful in the past, He will be faithful now. 

 

3. The last lesson this morning, the elements were subject to Him because He was the creator of the wind and waves.  Jesus was God with a face.  Here is a brief summary of who Jesus is.

 

 

1. He is the Savior, Healer, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, the soon coming King. 
2. Jesus Himself claimed to be, the Messiah, Bread of Life, Eternal One, Light of the World, Door, Son of God, Resurrection and the Life, Lord and Master, Way, Truth and Life, Alpha and Omega and the First and the Last.
3. He is the Anointed One and the Creator.
4. Names that have assigned to Him.  The Branch, a Cornerstone, Master, Messenger, Messiah, Morningstar, Prophet, Rock of Offense, the True Vine and the Word. 
5. I think John sums it beautifully. In John 21:25, “I suppose that even the world could not contain the books that should be written.”