Signs & WondersSample

God’s Proven Power

If there is anything we’ve learned from watching countless superhero movies, it is that every superhero uses his or her power to fight for a just cause. Superheroes often realize that with their newfound power comes a newfound responsibility to use this power to help others. We all applaud their noble ambition and generally arrive at the consensus that anyone with the power to help absolutely should. And yet, we see that when the Son of God, Jesus Christ, comes to earth, he uses his supernatural power in ways that seem less-than thrilling given his omnipotent power.

In John 6:16-21, Jesus shows His divinity by traversing the stormy sea on foot and bending nature to His will. He inadvertently scares the disciples in the process as they fear for their lives. When I read this, I want to ask, “Is Jesus pulling a prank on these poor disciples or is there something greater at play here?” 

You should know something first. If you were an Israelite living in Jesus’ day, you would know that God often showed his unparalleled power over creation, but particularly with his control of water. Why? Well, the oceans and seas were seen as dangerous and chaotic forces, and often used as metaphors for evil itself. When God shows his power over water, he clues us in to the fact that his power knows no bounds. In the Old Testament, God showed his power by calling the flood upon the earth as He spared Noah and his family. Later on, God separated the Red Sea when rescuing the slave-nation of Israel from Egypt. Israelites knew that God had the power to control water, and more than that, God had the power to do anything.

Here, Jesus is demonstrating his own divinity by showing that same power. He walks on water and controls the storm because he has the same power as his Father. And if his power is the same as the Father, then he also must be God and worthy of the same worship and adoration. Anyone reading this would know that Jesus is more than just a man, He is God come in the flesh. 

Notice the disciples’ fear in this situation. Though they are afraid of the storm, Jesus shows that he is in control of the situation and comforts them. As believers, we understand that God is sovereign above all of creation and is in control of all circumstances. We also know Him to be a good and loving God, and that we can trust him in any situation that produces fear, stress, and worry.

Questions to Ask Ourselves

1. Is there currently a situation in your life that is causing you to fear, or to worry, or to stress? 
2. How have you seen God’s power in your own life?
3. Do you trust God with your current needs? Do you trust him with the solution?

What’s Next? 

1. Ask God to reveal His power in your life and be your comfort in times of fear.
2. God has put faithful believers in your life as a comfort in the midst of difficulty. This week, ask a friend to be in prayer with you about your present situation.