WHAT MANNER OF MAN IS THIS!
Luke 8:16-25.
#. LUKE 8:16. In our homes, we tend to have a source of illumination in every room. We do not keep our reading lamps under a rhubarb bucket in the porch. Electric lamps are most likely to be on the ceiling, where their light can disseminate throughout the room.
There have been secret Christians - like Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea, in Jesus’ own time - but by and by they must reveal themselves and nail their colours clearly to the mast (cf. John 19:38-42). Jesus is the light of the world (cf. John 8:12; John 9:5), but we have also been commissioned to bear His light to the nations (cf. Acts 13:47). This is done through evangelism, but also through living the life of Christ before men (cf. Isaiah 60:1-3; Philippians 2:15-16).
LUKE 8:17. We need not fear any of the malignant forces mustered against us, because although we are operating in time, we are also operating in the light of eternity. Right will be brought to light.
LUKE 8:18. We must “be careful how we hear.” Jesus makes it perfectly clear that the natural man is totally incapable of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom. Even man’s greatest wisdom and understanding will come to nought (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:14).
#. LUKE 8:19-21. As Jesus gave this teaching, His mother and brethren were nearby, but could not get near to Him because of the crowds. He was told that His mother and brothers were standing outside, desiring to see Him. He stretched out with His hand towards His followers, both men and women saying, “My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God and do it.”
So when we listen to and obey our Lord Jesus we are received into a new spiritual family, the family of God. Our membership of this family is seen in the fact that we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, and do the will of God.
#. LUKE 8:22. There is an old joke that asks why the chicken crossed the road? The answer is obvious: to get to the other side. I suppose the same could be said of crossing the sea, crossing to the other side of the world, or crossing to a region such as the territory of the Gadarenes (cf. Luke 8:26).
Yet, on this occasion, it was not an impetuous impulsive Peter who was determined to go to sea (cf. John 21:3): but Jesus, who ‘must needs’ (cf. John 4:4) get to the other side.
LUKE 8:23. “But as they sailed He fell asleep.” This, incidentally, proves that Jesus is truly man.
A great storm arose, and even these hardy fishermen were at their wits end. Such storms are not uncommon on this particular inland sea. Surrounded by hills, and lying low in the land, a storm can whip up at hardly a minute’s notice.
The fishermen were in their element, and within familiar waters, but this was one bad storm. Their ship was soon “filled with water, and they were in jeopardy.” Fear, disorder and panic had taken hold upon them, while Jesus slept on in calm and peaceful repose.
LUKE 8:24. The disciples woke Jesus, pleading, “Master, master, we perish.” Jonah likewise was summoned from sleep in a ship during a storm (cf. Jonah 1:6).
All their skill and human resources left them with nothing but frustration and confusion. Yet our God is not a God of confusion, but of peace (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:33). Jesus spoke with the voice and authority of God to still the storm and calm the sea.
LUKE 8:25. Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” The disciples had a fair idea who Jesus is, but had not sufficient faith to recognise that having their Master in the ship was, for them, enough.
Perhaps the disciples still did not understand. Perhaps the light was beginning to dawn. “What manner of man is this!” they wondered, “that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
For us, too, there might be times when chaos, fear, disorder, panic and confusion seem to have taken hold of our lives. It seems that the ship of our lives is being tossed about in the storm, and is already being swamped. Where is God in all of this?
Yet if we have any idea of just who Jesus is - and who He is to us - we must know that He is with us, even in the storms of life. He speaks to the storm; He speaks to the disorder in your life; He speaks to the evil which threatens to overwhelm you. He speaks over you the word of His power and authority. That, for us, is enough.
