Shirley's Desk

What Kind of Man is This?

Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8: 23-27 (NIV)

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Have you ever been impressed by someone’s ability to speak, preach or to do anything else well? I have. One year while attending a Bible conference, I heard a lot of incredibly good speakers. There was one, however, who stood out from the crowd. When he stood up to speak, he didn’t give a text or offer a title which was unusual. There were no theatrics or clichés. He didn’t hoop or holler. He just told the story as it’s written in the scripture. When he spoke, it was as though we were all engaged in a conversation. The room was quiet. Everyone, including the other speakers, were mesmerized. As I listened, I recognized the passage of scripture from which he was quoting with such excellence. It’s one of my favorite passages of scriptures from the book of Acts. His ability to tell the story was amazing. I could envision all that was spoken, just as though I were there. He has a God-given gift to make the scriptures come alive in an extraordinary way.

As I listened to the speaker, I was reminded of Jesus who was no ordinary teacher. When He opened His mouth, everyone took notice. The stories He told and the scriptures He quoted came alive to all who had an ear to hear. Multitudes of people showed up when they heard that Jesus was coming to town. However, He did more than just speak. He did things that others did not or could not do. He performed miracles, such as turning water into wine during a wedding in Cana. The guests said that the best wine was usually served in the beginning, but in this case the best wine was saved for last Among the other miracles He performed were curing a man of leprosy, healing many of the sick, casting out demons, and feeding the multitudes with two fish and five loaves of bread.

In our text found in Matthew chapter 8, beginning at verse twenty-three, Jesus and His disciples entered a boat. Suddenly, they were in the midst of a storm. The waves began to sweep over the boat. Jesus was asleep. The disciples were afraid and woke Jesus up, saying “Lord save us.” Annoyed by their fear, Jesus looked at them and called them faithless. Jesus got up, rebuked the winds and the waves, and everything became completely calm. Everyone was amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this, that the winds and the waves obey Him?”

Sometimes in our lives things will be going well, and immediately and unexpectedly we find ourselves in the midst of a storm. How can one be afraid when Jesus is on board? His presence guarantees that everything is going to be all right. Sisters and brothers, just because God does not intervene immediately does not mean that He is unaware of your situation. We have a choice to either believe God will calm the storm at the appointed time or to lose faith and worry that He’s asleep. What kind of man is this? I say, “He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Good Shepherd, and the Great I Am.” That’s who Jesus is and more.

Elder Shirley Freeman
Daughters of Zion Women’s Ministries