Tuesday 12 August 2008

Background

A couple of thousand years ago there lived a man named Jesus andthe most important thing I can tell you about Jesus is that he isthe Son of God. It had been a long couple of days for Jesus and hisdisciples before the events of the above miracle happened. Backaround Matthew5-7 Jesus delivered an amazing sermon which some refer toas the Sermon on the Mount. When Jesus finished the message he camedown from the mountainside and the crowds followed him.

Then, at the beginning of Matthew 8, Jesushealed a man who had leprosy. Just afterwards a Roman leader, aCenturion, came to him. The Centurion had a servant who wasparalysed and in great agony and so the Centurion asked Jesus toheal his servant. But get this ... the Centurion didn't feel worthyfor Jesus to come into his home (as the Romans were despised by theJewish people) but knew that if Jesus would simply agree to healhis servant then all would be well. Jesus marvelled at theCenturion's faith and healed his servant (Matthew8:5-13).

Then Jesus went to the disciple Pete's house and healed Pete'smother-in-law and, later that evening, even more sick people,driving out the demons from those possessed (Matthew8:14-17).

It was a couple of packed days of miracle after miracle aftermiracle.

Which brings us to our text. Read it again. Slowly.

To Ponder

After having witnessed all that they had seen inthe previous day and a half why do you suppose the disciplespanicked?

Look back at some of the amazing, even miraculousthings God has done in your life. Why then do you think you becomeafraid when a storm kicks up?

What does Jesus' calming of the storm tell usabout who he is?

What stops you from believing in the power ofJesus' saving grace for you?