The blizzards of winter 2009-10 had something for everyone. There were thunderstorms and hail, hurricane-force winds and tornadoes, torrential rain and coastal flooding. And there was snow – lots of snow – as much as four feet at a time in some areas. To many folks the massive winter storms were no more than Mother Nature out of control. To us who believe, however, the storms exemplified the awesome power of the Creator at work. The elements are always under His control. Humans have the dubious honor of being the one specific creation of God that is most likely to be out of control.
The Bible indicates that God has given control of natural forces to His Son Jesus. On one occasion a storm came up suddenly on the Sea of Galilee as Jesus and His disciples were out in a boat. The disciples feared for their lives. But after the disciples awakened Him, Jesus calmly said, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:26 NIV) As Jesus rebuked the winds and calmed the waves, His disciples were astounded and exclaimed, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” (Matthew 8:26 NIV)
What kind of man indeed!? He is the kind of man who could be both God and man at the same time. He is the kind of man who could weep over a departed friend but drive out peddlers who opened a flea market in the temple courts. He had the power to cast out demons but had the tenderness to hold children on His lap. This man condemned the hypocrisy of Pharisees but forgave the sins of a fallen woman who believed in Him. Jesus had access to all the resources of the universe, but He owned not so much as a place to lay His head.
This man Jesus had legions of angels at His command, but He allowed Himself to be crucified between two thieves for your sins and mine. He had the power to rise from the dead but was not too high and mighty to enjoy eating fish with those whom He had discipled. After His resurrection, this man could have blazed into His glory in Heaven and forsaken the selfish, unbelieving hordes of this world. Yet He humbly returned to His Father and sent the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort believers. Then He proceeded to implement His ‘mission statement’, which called for Him to make intercession with the Father for believers in this life and to prepare a place of abode for His brethren in the life to come.
What kind of man indeed!?