Matthew 8:23-27. Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Who on earth was Jesus? How could He claim to have the authority to judge, to forgive sins, and to give eternal life? These are not small claims—if they are true, they change everything. And what happens when you truly know this Jesus, not as an idea or a religious figure, but as the Christ, the living Son of God who walks with you today?
First, Jesus claimed to be God. Scripture says, “In His defense Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working.’ For this reason, they tried all the more to kill Him; not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:17–18).
The religious leaders of His day understood exactly what He was claiming. He was not presenting Himself as merely a prophet or a good teacher—He was claiming equality with God Himself. For this, they accused Him of blasphemy and sentenced Him to death. And yet Jesus never denied His identity, even though it cost Him His life. Why? Because He was telling the truth: He is the only way for mankind to meet God, escape from the background of hell, and the power of the devil.
Jesus was not of this world. Paul explains, “The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47). Unlike Adam, who was formed from the dust and fell into spiritual death, Jesus came from heaven to reveal the Father. His origin is heaven itself. That is why, when you pray in His name, heaven and earth respond. God Himself promised, “In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land” (Haggai 2:6).
The name of Jesus has the authority to move what seems immovable and to open what seems impossible. So when you pray in Jesus’ name, you are not speaking empty words—you are calling on the authority of heaven. This is why Paul urges us to believe as we pray and to “wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
Jesus also knew everything about people and would not entrust Himself to them (John 2:24). He needed no one to explain human nature to Him, because He Himself created mankind. He saw their bondage under the power of the devil, their hopelessness, and their brokenness. And He sees you today. He knows your present circumstances, your hidden struggles, your deepest fears, and your unspoken weaknesses. You do not need to pretend before Him. You do not need to cover yourself with masks of strength or success. Instead, let Him examine your heart and mind (Psalm 26:2). He is not looking to condemn you but to restore you, to strengthen you, and to make you firm and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10).
The Jesus who lives in you through the Holy Spirit is greater than any problem, conflict, or crisis you face. The disciples marveled, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” (Matthew 8:27). The same Jesus who calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee is with you in your storms today. He is not distant or indifferent; He is near. So stop striving in your own strength. Stop hardening your heart against Him. Invite Jesus into your boat as your Lord and your God, and you will find peace as you sail with Him through the storms of life.
Most of all, Jesus gives life. At the tomb of Lazarus, Scripture says, “Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face” (John 11:43–44). With a single command, Jesus reversed death itself. He brought a man back to life who had been dead for four days. His Word is not limited by time or circumstance—it is the power of life itself.
Yet the response of the people is striking. Some believed in Him, while others went away hardened and reported Him to the Pharisees. Even in the face of undeniable evidence, not everyone believed. In the same way, many today—even those who call themselves believers—miss the real Jesus. They settle for a form of religion that cannot satisfy, endlessly chasing after temporary happiness but never finding eternal life. Religion without Christ is lifeless and powerless, but faith in the living Jesus transforms everything.
God did not call you to live in emptiness. He called you to know the living Christ. Meet the real Jesus at Calvary, where He finished all things; at the Mount of Olives, where He revealed the mystery of God’s kingdom; and in Mark’s Upper Room, where He empowered His church with the Holy Spirit. Meet Him at every corner of your life—in the storms you face, in your weaknesses, in your decisions, and in your daily walk—and your life will never be the same.
Prayer. Lord Jesus, I thank You for being with me in the midst of every storm. Soften my heart so that I may believe in You fully and trust completely in Your power. Be my Lord, my Savior, and my God. In Your mighty name, Amen.