1. THE REAL HUMANITY OF JESUS (Hebrews 4:15)

a. Preaching to a Great Throng in the Open Air. 1-36

A full day's work ministering to the multitudes left Jesus exhausted. It took

it out of him: "Power had gone out of him" (Mark 5:30). At the end of the day

he was weary, hungry and thirsty. He can well understand our infirmities,

having felt them himself.

b. Sleeping through a Great Storm on the Open Water. 36-38

He was out for the count. Not even a great storm, in which experienced

fishermen feared for their lives, could rouse him.

2. THE FULL DEITY OF JESUS (Colossians 2:9)

a. Rebuking Wind and Waves. 38 - His Power

He commanded "Peace, be still!" and there was a great calm. King Canute on the

beach in Northumberland, ca 1020, trying to stop the tide from coming in, never

had it so good! The Creation knows its Creator.

b. Receiving Prayer and Praise. 41 - His Prerogative

The fear of God came upon them even more than before. They prayed, and he

answered their prayers. They worshipped him, and he accepted their worship.

Angels dare not accept worship (an angel and John, Revelation 19:10, 22:8-9);

nor dare the saints (Peter and Cornelius, Acts 10:25-26). Emperors and Pharaohs

claimed to be gods, and demanded worship. The fallen archangel Lucifer demands

worship (Matthew 4:9-10; Luke 4:7-8); but only God may accept worship (John

20:28).

3. THE GRACIOUS PITY OF JESUS (Hebrews 7:25 ql)

a. He is ever Awake to our Prayers. 39

The fury of the storm could not waken him; but the urgency of our prayers

arouses him at once, in spite of our lack of faith.

b. He is ever Aware of our Cares. 38

He cares if we perish; compare John 3:16 ql. Unlike the priests of Baal, we do

not have to "call him louder" (1 Kings 18:27)! We can cast all our care upon

him, because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Let us leave all our problems and

all our cares with the Lord Jesus, who is both God and Man.

___________________________________________________________________________

In Christ,

Ben

--

Revd Ben Crick BA CF, and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick

<ben.crick@argonet.co.uk>

232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)

http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm