Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. 23 But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” Luke 8:22-26 (NKJV)
Where is your faith when everything seems to come crashing in around you? How do you hold on when facing cancer, loss, heartbreak, trials, and suffering in this world? We look around us and see the evil effects of sin surrounding us. We look within and see the effects of evil lurking there within our own hearts, always crouching near (selfishness, pride, anger, desires and our inability to love God as we should). Where can we find the faith to overcome adversity? How do we know hope, joy and peace in the midst of life’s storms?
We who might think ourselves skilled navigators upon this sea of life are taken by surprise by the raging waters and find ourselves drowning. We cry out for help to God. Jesus speaks. The raging storm stops as He asks, “Where is your faith?” Once more we tremble as we realize that we don’t even know, as we cry out concerning Jesus, “Who can this be?” We, the followers of Jesus, don’t know Him as the one who spoke the world into being nor the one whose very words hold the world’s existence in place.
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1: 16-17 NKJV
Consist is defined as made up of. Some translations say “are held together.” Do you see Jesus as the one holding together every detail of your life? So often we want to only see Jesus as the humble, meek sacrificial lamb who died in our place. Yet, for our faith to hold firm in the midst of the storm when it seems He is sleeping; we need to see Him for the Majestic King that He is. We need to recognize Jesus as the one who spoke the world into being and reigns supreme at the Father’s right hand. Note Colossians 1 again, “all things were created through Him”.
AN INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS
The early Jewish Christians struggled. Under Roman rule, their ability to worship in the synagogue was protected. Yet, as Christians they were subject to being persecuted, imprisoned, and even executed. They anxiously awaited Christ’s return to establish His Kingdom on earth; yet, He tarried. The book of Hebrews was addressed to these Christians encouraging them to hold tight to the faith they had been given. It is the one book in the New Testament in which the author remains unknown, the timing of its writing remains unknown, and to whom it was delivered is unknown. We only surmise by its content that it was written to the early church of believers that had converted from Judaism to Christianity who were struggling with the trials they faced. Their life was not one of prosperity or ease because of their faith. Their world was one of persecutions and trials because they believed. The writer knew that the only hope for these believers was to come to know Jesus in all of His Majesty. They needed to know the Superiority of Jesus above everything else in order to survive and overcome life’s trials.
JESUS AS SUPERIOR
The same is true for you and for me. If I merely see Jesus as the one who “died for my sins” and I don’t see Him as the all-powerful King living inside of me; then, I cannot find the faith to rise above life’s trials. I need a High Priest who has the power to transform me and whose very words control every detail of my life. In Christ I have everything. In Christ, I am God’s beloved, redeemed, chosen Child; heir of the kingdom of God. Therefore, I need to know Jesus, my High Priest who is alive and seated on His Throne. I must go beyond the cross, beyond his resurrection to see His Majestic Glorious Priestly Reign as King over my life.
CONCLUSION
So, come with me on this journey through the book of Hebrews to discover your High Priest who is worthy to be praised. In Christ all things consist—that means even me. I am made up of and held together by Christ. When everything is falling apart around me and within my own heart, He is in me holding all things together. That knowledge allows me to be able to say beyond any shadow of doubt, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” If I know that then I see the truth that there are no “bad days”. That which seems to be evil, God will turn for good. So, where is my faith? My faith is in Jesus, my Savior, my high priest, and my King above all Kings. What about you? Where is your faith?
The song I chose for you today is: Christ in Me
original photo used by permission https://unsplash.com/@basedxmichael
New King James Version(NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.