REBUKE THE STORM (1)

“Our fear of the natural has crippled our faith, which has also crippled our spiritual identity as gods” – Prophet Isaac K. Yirenkyi.

Matthew 8:23-27

²³ 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!”

For every special game, journey or assignment, there is surely the need for a special equipment to make that journey, game or assignment unique. Without a ‘football’, there is no game of football even if twenty-two (22) players are well-trained and dressed for the match on a football pitch. A similar thing can be said for the game of ‘ludo’ which is played with the help of a ‘dice’. One cannot go to the airport and be transported by a bus instead of a plane. There is no way a person can transport himself by foot on sea instead of using a ship, boat or canoe (except for our Lord Jesus Christ). Like the many examples given, the human life (as we have all agreed to) is a journey which needs to be completed for a special reward at the finish line. But to be able to journey in this ‘human world’ (earth) successfully, the most important equipment is the ‘human body’ – which is of utmost necessity. It is only with this human body that one can be accepted as a human being. This human form (body) is the official jersey of the ‘human being football club’, which was originally coached by God until the devil deceived Adam, the then manager of the football club. That is the reason why when a person dies, he takes off his official jersey (as if shown a red card or transferred) to take another, so he/she is able to continue life wherever he/she is going. Remember, the decision for each human being to live on this earth is not self-made, but according to the will of a greater authority (GOD).

The disciples who followed Jesus into the boat were not in the boat by chance, but according to the purpose and mission of Jesus Christ, who was journeying to the other side of the lake to continue His mission on this earth (Matthew 8:23). This affirms the fact that your journey as a believer on this earth is not by chance, but with a definite purpose and mission of Jesus Christ, our Lord and personal saviour – to preach the gospel to the many lost souls.

Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The bible goes on to say something in the verse 24 of Matthew chapter 8, “suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. BUT JESUS WAS SLEEPING.” Another version of the bible uses ‘without warning’ instead of ‘suddenly’; meaning that the storm happened unexpectedly, and was ready to destroy them. Each reader’s question will be, ‘Why was Jesus sleeping when there was chaos?’ The decision of any man or woman to be saved or born-again is because he/she believes he/she needs to be restored to his/her former position with God – thus, to be the image and likeness of God (to be righteous). This decision can’t be made based on human instinct, there is a need for a supernatural push from a spirit (the Holy Spirit), who comes to convict the individual inwardly. After he/she is saved or born-again, he/she becomes a new creation and will no longer be recognized by his/her former (old) character or behaviour (identity).

..to be continued.