When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake. Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.” Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They came out of the tombs and were so violent that no one could go through that area. They began screaming at him, “Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?” There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the demons begged, “If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.” “All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.
Matthew 8:18-34 NLT
Who is Jesus? People saw His miracles and wanted to follow Him, but He called them to obey beyond what they expected. He demanded absolute and total devotion to Himself. He is not just a rabbi or miracle worker; He is God. These verses are shocking until we realize Who He is; our Creator has the right to demand our highest allegiance and obedience. We have a choice: will we be His followers and get in the boat—even in the storms? Or will we demand that He leaves our town (v.34) because we are afraid?
Those who followed Him closely experienced more than the crowds. The crowds saw miracles, exorcisms, and healings. The crowd was fed and taught. But only those who got with Him in the boat—those who put Jesus ahead of their families, jobs, and comfort—got to see Jesus stand up and tell the winds and the waves to be quiet as if they were His to command (they are). For those who have faith to take the first steps, Jesus reveals more of Himself to them. We do not need to be afraid of His power.
Do you realize the power of the One to whom you are praying? Do you comprehend the wonder? Soak it in today. When you are trying to share Christ with others, don't over talk; invite them to walk with Jesus and see the good work that He does, every day. Soon they may ask, “Who is this man?"
