“Got Faith?”
Jesus was exhausted after hours of ministry. On the ride across the lake Jesus curled up for a nap in the small boat. A ferocious storm struck that water craft. Jesus snoozed in perfect peace. The disciples panicked, fearing their lives. Finally, the disciples were able to rouse Jesus from his slumber. He asks the first of two very important questions: “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25a)
Jesus often raises that question. He is amazed at how difficult it is for his followers to believe. He wonders if when he returns he will find faith. We only need a mustard seed sized faith to move mountains, so why is it so difficult? It is one thing to trust the promise of salvation, but it seems it is often more difficult to trust God in the struggles of life.
A second question gets at the issue of the lack of faith. The disciples are the ones who pose this question after Jesus calms the storm: “Who is this?” (Luke 8:25b) What we think of Jesus will encourage or discourage faith. As Jesus commanded the storm to cease, he demonstrated the power of God. God is great! He is able to do far above what we can imagine. Reading the scriptures forms a more accurate picture in our heart of the power of God. So one answer to the question is God is all powerful.
There is another answer that is needed. Suppose God was all powerful but didn't care about using that power to help us in our real needs. Or even worse he delighted in using his power to torment us. Jesus’ ministry cleared up any fears about God’s compassion. Multiple times the Gospel writers observe that Jesus reached out to heal because of his compassion.
Will Jesus ask of you, “Where is your faith?” Let’s seek to discover more about the power and compassion of Jesus. Let faith arise in our hearts!
Jesus was exhausted after hours of ministry. On the ride across the lake Jesus curled up for a nap in the small boat. A ferocious storm struck that water craft. Jesus snoozed in perfect peace. The disciples panicked, fearing their lives. Finally, the disciples were able to rouse Jesus from his slumber. He asks the first of two very important questions: “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25a)
Jesus often raises that question. He is amazed at how difficult it is for his followers to believe. He wonders if when he returns he will find faith. We only need a mustard seed sized faith to move mountains, so why is it so difficult? It is one thing to trust the promise of salvation, but it seems it is often more difficult to trust God in the struggles of life.
A second question gets at the issue of the lack of faith. The disciples are the ones who pose this question after Jesus calms the storm: “Who is this?” (Luke 8:25b) What we think of Jesus will encourage or discourage faith. As Jesus commanded the storm to cease, he demonstrated the power of God. God is great! He is able to do far above what we can imagine. Reading the scriptures forms a more accurate picture in our heart of the power of God. So one answer to the question is God is all powerful.
There is another answer that is needed. Suppose God was all powerful but didn't care about using that power to help us in our real needs. Or even worse he delighted in using his power to torment us. Jesus’ ministry cleared up any fears about God’s compassion. Multiple times the Gospel writers observe that Jesus reached out to heal because of his compassion.
Will Jesus ask of you, “Where is your faith?” Let’s seek to discover more about the power and compassion of Jesus. Let faith arise in our hearts!
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