What Manner Of Man Is This?
Text: Matt.8: 23-27
Intro: Have you ever tried to imagine what Christ Jesus must have been like in person? Have you ever wondered how He must have carried Himself, or how His voice must have sounded? It must have been wonderful to walk and talk with the Savior, when He was upon the earth.
The disciples had the privilege of walking and talking with Jesus, and I’m sure they never fully learned all there was to know about His person and nature. The Scripture even indicates that at times, the disciples were utterly amazed and puzzled by their Master. This was especially true during their early days with Him.
In our text, we read of just such a time when the disciples were totally bewildered and amazed by Jesus. They had not yet come to the full realization that Jesus was not just some smart, new miracle worker who had come on the scene, but rather, He was the Son of God. This lack of understanding on their part led them to ask the question found in Matt.8: 27, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”
Perhaps it would do us all good to remember what kind of man Jesus really was when He was upon the earth. There never was, nor will there ever be another man like Jesus Christ, for He was and is the God Man. Let’s take an imaginary walk through the pages of God’s Word today, in order to reacquaint ourselves with Jesus.
Theme: What manner of man is Jesus?
I. HE IS A MAN OF UNLIMITED POWER
A. He Is Lord Over All Creation.
1. Christ is the maker of all creation.
John 1: 3 “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
1 Cor.8: 6 “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
Eph.3: 9 “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”
Col.1: 16 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
Heb.1: 2 “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”
NOTE: Have you ever wondered why the earth is in its present form? Are our world’s present characteristics as they are simply because of evolution and happenstance, or are they the result of intelligent design? I believe everything about the earth, as well as creation as a whole, points to divine design.
GOD’S WISE DESIGN
Because nature is clouded by sin, it gives only an indistinct picture of God. Much of His great wisdom and marvelous design, however, can still be clearly traced. For instance, the earth rotates on its axis at approximately 1000 miles per hour. If that had been 100 miles per hour, our days and nights would be 10 times longer, and our planet would alternately burn and freeze. Under such circumstances vegetation could not live!
If the earth were as small as the moon, the power of gravity would be too weak to retain sufficient atmosphere for man’s needs; but if it were as large as Jupiter, Saturn, or Uranus, extreme gravitation would make human movement almost impossible.
If we were as near to the Sun as Venus, the heat would be unbearable; if we were as far away as Mars, we would experience snow and ice every night, even in the warmest regions.
If the oceans were half their present dimensions, we would receive only one-fourth the rainfall we do now. If they were one-eighth larger, our annual precipitation would increase four fold, and this earth would become a vast, uninhabitable swamp!
Water solidifies at 32 degrees above zero. It would be disastrous if the oceans were subject to the law, however, for then the amount of thawing in the polar regions would not balance out, and ice would accumulate throughout the centuries! To prevent such a catastrophe, the Lord put salt in the sea to alter its freezing point.
2. Christ is the maintainer of all creation.
Col.1: 17 “And he (Jesus Christ) is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Heb.1: 3 “Who [Jesus] being the brightness of his [God the Father’s] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”
NOTE: [1] The word “consist” simply means “to cohere, to hold together.” The Amplified Bible translates this verse with the words, “And He Himself existed before all things and in Him all things consist—cohere, are held together.”
[2] Hebrews 1: 3 also assures us that all of creation is maintained by the power of Christ when it says, “…upholding all things by the word of his power.” The NLT renders these words, “…he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command.”
3. Christ is the master of all creation.
a. His command quieted a storm.
Mark 4: 37 “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, careth thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
b. He circumvented the very laws of nature at will.
Matt.14: 25 “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”
B. He Is Lord Over Every Crisis.
1. Jesus handled social crises.
a. He turned water into wine.
John 2: 7 “Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou has kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.”
b. He fed the four thousand and the five thousand.
Mark 8: 17 “And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember:
19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?”
c. Jesus paid taxes with money from a fish’s mouth.
Matt.17: 24 “And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”
2. Jesus handled sickness crises.
a. He healed Peter’s mother-in-law.
Luke 4: 38 “And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.”
b. He healed the woman with an issue of blood.
Luke 8: 43 “And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
………………………………………………
48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”
3. Jesus handled spiritual crises.
a. He delivered Mary Magdalene from seven devils.
Mark 16: 9 “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.”
b. He delivered the Gadarene demoniac.
Mark 5: 2 “And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
………………………………………………
13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
………………………………………………
15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
………………………………………………
20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.”
c. He delivered the dying thief on the cross.
Luke 23: 42 “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
NOTE: The dying thief was delivered from his sins just in time to die. Maybe you’re in the midst of a spiritual crisis today. Maybe you’ve never repented and turned from your sins, and asked Christ to be your personal Savior. If not, don’t put it off any longer. Dr. J. Mike Minnix offers the following caution:
While pastoring at the FBC of Cherryville, North Carolina, a disturbance was observed, and shortly afterward a man was taken from the balcony of the church [and placed] in an ambulance. He was dead before they got him to the hospital. He died before the invitation could be given in that service. Could this be your last invitation? Make the decision that God calls you to make—now is the appointed time, today is the day of salvation.
C. He Is Lord Over Death’s Cold Chill.
1. Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead.
Matt.9: 23 “And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.”
2. Jesus raised the widow’s son from the dead.
Luke 7: 14 “And he came and touched the bier: and they that bear him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”
3. Jesus raised His friend Lazarus from the dead.
John 11: 43 “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”
4. Jesus raised Himself from the dead.
John 10: 17 “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
5. Jesus will one day raise all believers from the dead.
2 Cor.4: 14 “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.”
1 Thess.4: 15 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
NOTE: There are very few real heroes to look up to these days. Many look up to athletes, only to discover that rather than being the role models they appeared to be, they have propped themselves up with steroids, marijuana, or other harmful drugs. Others look up to actors or actresses, thinking that they’ve got it all together. But later they find out that their idol is nothing but a self-centered, selfish and rude individual with far worse issues than they themselves possess. It’s time to look in the right place for our heroes. The late Adrian Rogers had the right idea.
There has never been a man like the Lord Jesus. John Phillips wrote these words about Jesus that deeply stirred me. He said, “He never uttered a hasty, unkind, untrue, or frivolous word. He never entertained an impure thought. His talents never debased for selfish ends. His influence, never bad. His judgment, never wrong. He never had to apologize for anything that He did or retract a single word He said. He was never too late or too soon, never upset, never insipid, never shallow or afraid…He had absolute victory from the moment He drew his first breath in that Bethlehem barn until the moment He closed His eyes in death on the cross of Calvary.”
If you’re looking for a hero, let me suggest mine. His name is Jesus.
II. HE IS A MAN OF UNUSUAL PARDON
A. The Messiah Preached Forgiveness.
1. Jesus preached that our forgiveness is contingent upon our willingness to forgive others.
Matt.6: 14 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Luke 6: 37c “…forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:”
NOTE: The willingness to forgive others for their wrongs against us is only one side of the coin. We must also be ready and willing to ask forgiveness when we have wronged others. But the flesh hates to admit fault, as the following reveals:
D.L. Moody tells of his sister’s boy named Sammy. He said something ugly to his mother and was made to go to bed because he would not apologize to her. They tried to get him to say, “Mother, forgive me.” He would not do it! All day he stayed in bed. All night as well. Then all the next morning.
Finally his mother said, “Sammy, say, ‘mother.’” The little boy said, “Mother.” Then she said, “Say ‘for,’ then “give,” and then ‘me.’”
The boy almost leaped off the bed. He said, “I said it,” “I said it.” “Mother, forgive me.” “Mother, forgive me.” Then leaping into his mother’s arms he said, “Take me to papa so I can tell him too!” What joy came when he finally said, “Forgive me!!!”
2. Jesus proclaimed that unforgiveness produces its own torment.
Matt.18: 23 “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents (375 tons of silver).
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence (a few thousand dollars): and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
…………………………………………………….
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”
3. Jesus’ plan for His disciples was to always be ready to forgive.
Luke 17: 3 “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”
B. The Master Practiced Forgiveness.
1. Though Jesus did not excuse her sin, He forgave the woman caught in adultery, so that she was not condemned.
John 8: 3 “And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
2. Jesus forgave those guilty of His rejection and crucifixion.
Luke 23: 34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
3. Jesus forgave the dying thief on the cross.
Luke 23: 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
C. Christ’s Mission Provided Forgiveness.
Acts 5: 30 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”
Acts 13: 38 “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:”
Eph.1: 7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
1 Tim.1: 15 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
III. HE IS A MAN OF UNFATHOMABLE PASSION
A. His Love Moved Him To Bear Our Sin.
Isa.53: 6c “…and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
2 Cor.5: 21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
B. His Love Moved Him To Endure Our Suffering.
Isa.50: 6 “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”
Isa.52: 14 “As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:”
Isa.53: 4 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Matt.27: 26 “Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.”
C. His Love Moved Him To Purchase Our Salvation.
1 Pet.3: 18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
Acts 4: 10 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
…………………………………………………………..
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
John 15: 13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
NOTE: Folks, it took an unfathomable love to save us from the filth and degradation of our sin. The love of Jesus Christ is so great that it can reach down to the lowest of humanity and lift them out of the chains of their sin.
Someone told this story. Though the author’s name is lost, the meaning remains.
Years ago I attended an evangelistic meeting and heard a soloist sing, “Somebody Whispered That Jesus Loves Me.” He introduced the song by telling the story of the conversion of Scott Lawrence, the author of both the words and music. He said that as a young man, Lawrence fell into deep sin and became a skid row derelict. A Christian worker who was full of love for the lost tried to deal with him, even though the poor fellow was in a stupor because of drugs and alcohol.
Just before he gave up his efforts of explaining the gospel to him, the man bent over and whispered directly into his ear, “Jesus who died upon the cross loves you and wants you to be saved!” The Holy Spirit began to work in the heart of Lawrence, and when he finally came out of his drunken condition, that word of hope remained indelibly impressed upon his mind. Eventually it led to his conversion.
Later he became a preacher and a composer. One of Lawrence’s most well-known songs recounts the message that brought him to Christ in these words: “One day in sin I was told of a love/Coming from One who is reining above,/Gladly I listened, ‘twas music to me,/To know, though a sinner, that I could be free./Somebody whispered that Jesus loves me,/Jesus who died upon Calvary’s tree, Said He would save me, from sin set me free,/Somebody whispered that Jesus loves me.”
Theme: What manner of man is Jesus?
I. HE IS A MAN OF UNLIMITED POWER
II. HE IS A MAN OF UNUSUAL PARDON
III. HE IS A MAN OF UNFATHOMABLE PASSION
Be sure to check out the author’s May 12, 2011 book release entitled, "Meditations of the Heart: Thoughts on the Christian Life" at: http://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Heart-Thoughts-Christian-Life/dp/1453739238
