Reading: Luke 8:19-39

The storm caught them on the lake. The water filled the ship. The disciples were in jeopardy. Jesus slept. So they woke Him up.

After He calmed the water and the wind, He directed His words to the disciples.

“And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him” (25).

What’s with that question?!

I don’t know. (But I’m sure the question was both just and justified.)

I thought their faith was in Jesus. After all, they went to Him in their distress. (Or did they wake Him because they didn’t want Him to drown in His sleep?)

I admit I don’t know why He asked the question and that I don’t know where their faith was.

As far as I’m concerned, though, the question is for me.

Just where is my faith?

Is my faith in Jesus? Or is my faith in what I think He can do? Or is it in what I think He wants to do?

I put my faith in Jesus. Blindly, if need be. I don’t need to know what He will do or when or how or why.

With His help, I will simply rest in Him. The details remain His to work through.

(Why does that feel like a scary thing to write?)

from Luke 8:21

A little bit more from Luke 8: What’s He Done to You?

Reading: Luke 8:1-18

Jesus said on at least one occasion that we are, first of all, to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

In this chapter, though, we have this recorded:

“And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him” (1).

I wonder what He showed and preached.

What are the glad tidings of God’s kingdom?

I think of things like these: forgiveness, purpose, cleanness, wholeness, satisfaction, peace, sacrifice, fellowship with God.

And joy.

That goes along so naturally with the gladness of these tidings.

Sometimes it seems like I don’t get my share of joy and gladness.

That’s my own fault.

Because I’ve carelessly allowed my heart to turn from focusing on and ardently looking for the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Because I’ve ceased to be a panting hart.

from Luke 8:16

A little bit more from Luke 8: Having Heard the Word