Matthew 8:23-27 Jesus Calms a Storm

Jesus’ disciples were no strangers to the sea. Many of them were fishermen. I am certain they had their share of experiences with storms  at sea. This storm must’ve been strong enough to get them concerned about their safety. “The boat was being swamped by the waves” and they thought they were perishing. In such a dangerous situation, Jesus is asleep. They decide, in their desperation, to wake him up and ask for help. Their plea is for Jesus to rescue them from the dangerous situation. It seems they had enough faith to believe that Jesus was able to get them out of trouble. Nonetheless, when Jesus is awakened, he attributes their fear to their “little faith.” Why is the faith little? It is enough to ask for help in danger, but not enought to be confident (not threatened) in the face of danger. Jesus then rebukes the winds and the sea producing calm and causing the men to marvel at his control over nature.

Jesus is the Son of David, Son of Abraham, Son of Man, Son of God who has sovereign control even over nature. He is the Lord of Creation. To follow him is to trust he is in control of all things at all times. He expects us to trust he is able to rescue us from trouble, but he also wants us to trust that he is in control of all circumstances of life without fretting.

Jesus, increase my faith to trust in you. May I learn to trust you can rescue me in my hour of trouble, but also that I may confidently trust without fear that you are in control of all circumstances while I am going through the trouble.

Acts 3:11-26 Peter Speaks in Solomon's Portico

People were astounded by the healing of the lame beggar and they gathered around Peter and John. Peter addressed the crowd to let them know that the miracle was not performed by their power or piety, but by Jesus Christ who resurrected from the dead. Peter accuses them of his death because they delivered him to Pilate and declares the miracle a work of his hand by faith in his name. Faith requires an object. It cannot be faith for the sake of believing something. For it to be genuine faith, it must be in Jesus. Jesus is the object of our faith, trust, and obedience.

Christianity boils down to who I believe Jesus to be. Is he the son of a carpenter and a good man? Is he a prophet with powers to heal? Is he a peaceful martyr willing to give his life to appease the political powers of the day? Is he a political figure who promised better days? Is he a prophet willing to denounce the Scribes and Pharisees? Is he a wise teacher who understands the Law like no one else? All these things may be true, but they don't make him the object of my faith. Peter calls him the Holy and Righteous One, the Author of Life, the resurrected and glorified Son of God. Do I believe this?

Peter explains that God foretold by the mouth of the prophets Christ's suffering and death. But the crowd's ignorance is no excuse - they stand guilty! He calls them to repentance so that they may receive forgiveness, refreshment, and the future restoration of all things. God is sovereign because he foretold what needed to take place, but human responsibility is not excused at all. Repentance is the remedy for such a rebellion. I can't forget that the reason Christ came into the world was to offer himself as a sacrifice for my sins. His death is upon me as much as it is upon the Romans and Jews of the day. God is sovereign, but I must repent!

Peter points out that this Jesus is the one Moses, and Samuel and all the prophets spoke about. He particularly reminds the people of the covenant God cut with Abraham with the promise: "In your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Jesus is that offspring and God began to bless the families of the earth by sending Jesus to the Jews first, and then the rest of the world. The blessing, Peter explains, is turning you from your wickedness. My wickedness is my desire to live my life my way turning my back on God and his ways. God calls me to repentance so that I may turn to him and live by his commands.

Father, enable me to make your Son the object of my faith. May I never hide behind your sovereignty as an excuse to evade my responsibility. Give me a repentant heart and a strong belief in your word spoken by the prophets.

Acts 2:14-41 Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

Peter takes the lead to explain what is going on. It is not that the people are drunk! It is the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (Joel2:28-32) right before their eyes. Joel spoke of the pouring out of the Spirit upon all flesh with evident manifestations of prophecy, visions, and dreams. The second part of his prophecy speaks of the day of judgment with wonders in the heavens and signs on the earth. Some of these are: blood, fire, vapor of smoke, the sun turning into darkness and the moon turning into blood. These are all literary devices to express the coming of the day of the Lord, or Judgment Day. The Spirit is here! I am living the end times!

Then, Peter presents Jesus as the man God delivered up according to his plan and foreknowledge. At the same time, he accuses the crowd for crucifying and killing him. Many books have been written about the reconciliation between God's sovereignty and Human responsibility. The Scriptures teach both. Whatever philosophical system we devise to explain the interaction of these two perspectives cannot lose sight that both need to be upheld. My God is sovereign! From the little sparrow to the hairs on my head, he has dominion over it all. I am responsible! God will hold me accountable for my thoughts, words, and actions.

Now he turns to the Psalms (16:8-11) to prove that Jesus' resurrection was prophesied by David and links the pouring of the Spirit with the resurrection and ascension of the Lord. Finally, he states that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. The title of Lord implies that Jesus has power, authority, and influence over his people. The title of Christ identifies him as the promised one to Israel, the Messiah, the King to come, the Savior. I have to come to grips with who Jesus is in my life. Is he my Lord? Is he my Savior?

The people's response to Peter's sermon was that they were cut to the heart. It was devastating! It hit them really hard. Now what? What to do? Peter points the way with repentance and baptism so they can enjoy the promised Holy Spirit. It pains my soul to see many people today in our churches without making a commitment to the Lord through baptism. I will never forget my baptism. Mom and Dad did not like it. My friends then, told me I was crazy. Baptism is the confession to the world that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. The message continues to be the same: Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the promised Holy Spirit.

Father, thank you for giving your Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my soul. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to fill me and guide me day by day. May I keep Christ as the center of my life to live in the fullness of your promise all the days of my life. Amen

Matthew 8:14-17 Jesus Heals Many

Some suggest that healing ceased and it is not for today. Others insist that healing is the "right" of every Christian. Empirical evidence proves both extremes wrong. There are testimonies of healing throughout Church History that prove that it did not end with the apostles, but continued with the spread of the Church until today. There are also plenty of testimonies from good, faithful brethren that their prayers for healing, for themselves or a loved one, were not answered as expected and it was not due to lack of faith. Somewhere between these two poles is the truth.

Jesus heals many, but not all. In this lifetime, we have to come to grips with the sovereignty of God in his choosing who he will heal and when. Faith is certainly necessary for healing, but not sufficient. The prophecy fulfilled is Isaiah 53. It specifically says that the Messiah would bear our grief and carry our sorrows. But we know that Jesus was not able to meet everyone who was sick and heal them even in his time. He healed all those that came into his path, and at times, he retired from the crowds to rest leaving many sick still.

But Isaiah 53:5 tells me more. It informs me that Jesus' death was substitutionary - he took my place. He was wounded for my transgressions. He was crushed for my iniquities. It tells me that the peace I enjoy today is the result of his chastisement. And there is a promise of healing as a result of his stripes. Why then, we don't experience healing all the time? 

Sickness and death are inevitable. The promise of healing is for all of us and it will ultimately be fulfilled at Christ's return when we are given new glorified bodies. But while in the flesh, God bestows healing as he sees fit to fulfill his plan for the ages. My responsibility is to believe and live by faith whether I experience healing or not, whether a loved one is healed or not. I must come to terms with the reality of the human condition: frail and temporal. I must grip the reality of a God who has a plan to ultimately heal me and wait patiently for its fulfillment even through death.

Lord, help me in my unbelief. When my own family suffers and healing does not come, help me believe. May I trust you and your plans for my life. May I have peace when illness strikes. May I have patience and hope as I wait for my final redemption.