In both Mark and Luke’s Gospels we are given an account of Jesus that is almost identical to a story in the book of Jonah. In both stories, Jesus and Jonah were in boats that were overtaken by huge storms. Both Jesus and Jonah fell asleep during the tempest. They both were awakened by others in the boat saying, “We’re going to die.”
In response, both took action that resulted in a miraculously calming of the storm. Jonah did so by willingly offering up his life to save those in the boat and Jesus simply commanded the storm to cease. In both instances, the miracle caused those in the boat to be awestruck by God’s saving power.
Both stories point us to the future calming of the ultimate storm of God’s judgment. Because of Jesus’ willingness to be thrown into the middle of God’s judgment on our behalf, the guilt of our sin won’t drown us and the waves of judgment won’t destroy us. Now He is able to declare an end to condemnation and judgment when we put our faith in Him.
But I wonder if we’ve become so familiar with the story of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us that we’ve lost our sense of awe at the saving power of God. Have we grown so accustomed to God’s grace that we no longer feel any real gratitude for His forgiveness?
Take a moment today and reflect on all that God has forgiven you for and all the judgment you have been spared. Then ask Him to restore your sense of awe after the storm.
In response, both took action that resulted in a miraculously calming of the storm. Jonah did so by willingly offering up his life to save those in the boat and Jesus simply commanded the storm to cease. In both instances, the miracle caused those in the boat to be awestruck by God’s saving power.
Both stories point us to the future calming of the ultimate storm of God’s judgment. Because of Jesus’ willingness to be thrown into the middle of God’s judgment on our behalf, the guilt of our sin won’t drown us and the waves of judgment won’t destroy us. Now He is able to declare an end to condemnation and judgment when we put our faith in Him.
But I wonder if we’ve become so familiar with the story of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us that we’ve lost our sense of awe at the saving power of God. Have we grown so accustomed to God’s grace that we no longer feel any real gratitude for His forgiveness?
Take a moment today and reflect on all that God has forgiven you for and all the judgment you have been spared. Then ask Him to restore your sense of awe after the storm.
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