The Power of Jesus
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Key Verse: “They feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Selected Scriptures: |
OUR LESSON FOR TODAY begins with Jesus at the shore of Galilee. The Lord had been giving the multitudes parables teaching various practical lessons. Now our Lord decided to go to the other side of the lake. Other little ships followed his. A storm arose causing those on board to fear for their life. The ship was filling with water and would sink if something was not done.
Jesus had gone into the hold of the ship and was fast asleep. Fearing that all lives would be lost the disciples woke him saying, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Jesus then got up, “rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Turning to his disciples Jesus said, “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”—Mark 4:38-40
In our last lesson we learned how important faith is. The disciples had witnessed the power of Jesus in curing a leper, and a man with palsy but they were still skeptical when it seemed that they would all lose their life in the storm. At one point the apostles asked Jesus, “Lord, Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5) This is a proper prayer but is one that must be acted upon. We cannot ask the Lord to stop all the storms of life, but to give us the wisdom and grace to accept what God allows. The disciples should have realized that our Lord was in danger too and could have asked him for direction, but instead said, ‘Master, carest thou not that we perish?’
Jesus’ gentle rebuke is a reminder that whatever God allows to come into our life we need to rely on faith and trust in him. The disciples were astonished at the power of our Lord to calm even the wild wind and waves of the sea.
After arriving safely on the other side of the lake, a man with a demon approached our Lord. No one had been able in the past to capture and hold him. He lived in the mountain caves and was forever crying out and cutting himself with stones.—Mark 5:1-5
This demon-possessed man knew our Lord and his power, and running to him and worshipping him, he said, “What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.” (vs. 7) The word ‘torment’ from the Greek text has the thought of going to the bottom, or to put out of existence. This demon knew that Jesus had the power to destroy him. Jesus called for the demon to go out of the man and then asked him what his name was. The reply was “Legion,” meaning that there were many demons. (vs. 9) These demons asked that Jesus allow them to enter into a large herd of swine. When these demons went into the swine, they all ran over a cliff into the sea below and perished. (Mark 5:13) The demons in this account are the angels who sinned and will eventually have their day of judgment.—Jude 6
The power displayed by Jesus in this account should have increased the faith of the disciples and all of God’s people. The disciples were awed at his power to cause the wind to stop blowing, and still the waves. Violent weather causes havoc and misery, and power to control such forces is impossible for man. The power to control spirit beings is more awesome. Such was the power of Jesus.