Luke 8:22-25
Luke 8:22-25
What is the point of this story about Jesus sleeping during the storm? It’s not a teaching or parable of Jesus. It’s not an example for us to follow. This story gives us a window to see who Jesus really is…the God-man, Christ Jesus.
First, we see Jesus’ humanity. His earthly ministry is in full swing. He is teaching, healing, feeding, and traveling from town to town, and just like any normal human, he is exhausted. He needed sleep - and apparently, he was sleeping hard enough to sleep through a storm. When Christ took on flesh to save us, he truly humbled himself and became a man with all its fleshly limitations. He came to us and met us in our weakness.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hey 4:15
Jesus was fully man - yet he was perfect. This should encourage us to draw near to him. He knows the weight of temptation. He knows life can beat us down and exhaust us. He took on flesh and came to us so that he could draw us into his heart, not away from it. The next verse of Hebrews 4 says it like this, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Secondly, we see Jesus’ divinity. The veil is pulled back for a moment, and the disciples are able to see that the man before them is also fully God. Jesus speaks to the wind and waves, and they recognize his voice and obey. The response of the disciples is the response that Luke wants us to have as well, who is this Jesus?
Christianity really hinges on that question. Is he just a prophet? Just a madman? Or is he, as he claims, the one true God? The answer to that question has an eternal weight to it.
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Rom 10:9
Jesus is more than just a man - he is God. He is the Lord of all, including our hearts. So as we run to him who can sympathize with us in our weakness, we can also trust that he has the divine power to save us - to the uttermost!
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Heb 7:25
The same man who rested in the boat is willing and ready to give you his eternal rest and peace. The same God who calmed the wind and waves has the power to forgive any sin and change any heart. How do you experience that Jesus? Simply “draw near” to him through faith.
Family Discussion
By: Joe Weaver
What is the point of this story about Jesus sleeping during the storm? It’s not a teaching or parable of Jesus. It’s not an example for us to follow. This story gives us a window to see who Jesus really is…the God-man, Christ Jesus.
First, we see Jesus’ humanity. His earthly ministry is in full swing. He is teaching, healing, feeding, and traveling from town to town, and just like any normal human, he is exhausted. He needed sleep - and apparently, he was sleeping hard enough to sleep through a storm. When Christ took on flesh to save us, he truly humbled himself and became a man with all its fleshly limitations. He came to us and met us in our weakness.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hey 4:15
Jesus was fully man - yet he was perfect. This should encourage us to draw near to him. He knows the weight of temptation. He knows life can beat us down and exhaust us. He took on flesh and came to us so that he could draw us into his heart, not away from it. The next verse of Hebrews 4 says it like this, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Secondly, we see Jesus’ divinity. The veil is pulled back for a moment, and the disciples are able to see that the man before them is also fully God. Jesus speaks to the wind and waves, and they recognize his voice and obey. The response of the disciples is the response that Luke wants us to have as well, who is this Jesus?
Christianity really hinges on that question. Is he just a prophet? Just a madman? Or is he, as he claims, the one true God? The answer to that question has an eternal weight to it.
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Rom 10:9
Jesus is more than just a man - he is God. He is the Lord of all, including our hearts. So as we run to him who can sympathize with us in our weakness, we can also trust that he has the divine power to save us - to the uttermost!
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Heb 7:25
The same man who rested in the boat is willing and ready to give you his eternal rest and peace. The same God who calmed the wind and waves has the power to forgive any sin and change any heart. How do you experience that Jesus? Simply “draw near” to him through faith.
Family Discussion
- What does it mean that Jesus is able to “Sympathize with our weakness?”
- Did Jesus have to be fully God and fully man to save us?
- What does it look like for you to “draw near to God through [Christ]” today?
By: Joe Weaver
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