Synoptic Gospels 3: Shepherd and King (5)
Pray Psalm 29.3-6.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The LORD is over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars,
Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes them also skip like a calf,
Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
Sing Psalm 29.3-6.
(Toulon: I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art)
Over the waters, over thunder’s roll, God’s voice creation’s mighty pow’rs controls!
Cedars collapse at His majestic Word; nations are shaken by our mighty LORD!
Read Matthew 8.23-27; Mark 4.35-41; Luke 8.22-25; meditate on Matthew 23-27.
Preparation
1. What was Jesus doing during the storm at sea?
2. What did His disciples seek from Him?
Meditation
Psalm 29 is one of my favorites. In this brief psalm, the word LORD appears 18 times. 18 times in 11 verses! You think David may have been trying to emphasize something? Or perhaps to set us up for something?
And when Jesus speaks to the wind and seas, and they obey His voice, do you suppose those disciples might have thought of Psalm 29?
What is the answer to the disciples’ question in verse 27, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” It is the LORD. That is to say, Jesus is the LORD! He is King even over all creation.
This is what Matthew does over and over. He makes it very clear that Jesus fulfills Old Testament predictions, descriptions, types, and expectations for the coming of the LORD. And he minces no words and makes no bones about it: Jesus is the LORD. He is the Master of winds and seas and everything else. So if you choose to follow Him, know that the power of Jesus’ Word can calm the winds and still the seas, just as surely as it can transform your soul.
Jesus rebuked His disciples. They had enough faith to turn to Him for help, calling Him “Lord”; but they didn’t have enough faith not to fear perishing. He welcomed their petition but rebuked their fear. Fear is a natural response to certain kinds of situations; but for the believer, we need not fear that we might perish. We who believe in Jesus will not perish but have everlasting life (Jn. 3.16). The security and safety that come from knowing this must keep all our fears in a proper perspective, so that even as we fear, we know where to confidently turn for the Word that calms even raging seas: Our Good Shepherd, King of creation.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
In Luke 8.22 and Mark 4.35, Jesus clearly states to the disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.”
He did not say, “Let’s give this our best shot; but be prepared for the ship to go down halfway across.”
So of course He was concerned about their lack of faith in Him and His words.
“Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Matt. 8.26)
“Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mk. 4.40)
“Where is your faith?” (Lk. 8.25)
Jesus’ disciples were men who knew the Scriptures.
We can rest assured that Jesus was continually speaking God’s Words to them.
They must’ve been familiar with the history of their people and God’s majestic work throughout time on their behalf. Words like these must’ve been familiar to them:
“Nevertheless He saved them for His Name’s sake,
that He might make His mighty power known.
He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up;
so He led them through the depths,
as through the wilderness” (Ps. 106.8, 9).
“Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses.
He calms the storm, so that its waves are still.
Then they are glad because they are quiet;
so He guides them to their desired haven.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
and for His wonderful works to the children of men! (Ps. 107.28-31).
There He is! There is Jesus, King of Creation!
“Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Matt. 8.27; Mk. 4.41)
“Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” (Lk. 8.25)
“O LORD God of hosts, Who is mighty like you, O LORD?
Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise,
You still them” (Ps. 89.8, 9).
“Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Lk. 4.21).
We see Jesus in His Word and through His works.
We have seen much of the prophetic Words of Scripture fulfilled.
And we eagerly anticipate the end of the story.
But for now, we work, we trust, we obey, and we wait.
The King of Creation has told us, assuredly, “Let us cross over.”
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you…” and “…I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that where I AM, there you may be also” (Jn. 14.1-4).
His power and faithfulness surround us.
Reflection
1. How does the creation around witness to you of the power of God?
2. What does God’s rule of the creation suggest about His shepherding care for you?
3. Whom will you help today to see the mighty power and shepherding care of Jesus in some work of His creation?
Finally it was by Christ’s mere command that he controlled the sea, struck back the winds, stopped the whirlwinds, brought back the calm. Then those who were crossing the sea perceived, believed and acknowledged that he is the very Creator of all. Peter Chrysologus (ca. 380-450), Sermons 20.1
Pray Psalm 29.1, 2, 7-11.
As you pray, look around, look outside, think about the day ahead, and give praise and thanks to our sovereign Lord Jesus, the King of creation, for all His bounty and goodness.
Sing Psalm 29.1, 2, 7-11.
(Toulon: I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art)
Give praise to God, you children of the earth! Tell of His strength, proclaim His glorious worth!
Give to the LORD the glory due His Name! Worship in holiness; His grace proclaim!
God speaks and lightning streaks across the sky; by His decree He shakes the desert dry.
Speak, LORD, and life to beasts and men is giv’n. Forests dissolve, and glory rings in heav’n.
Sovereign, the LORD sat o’er the raging flood; sovereign forever rules our gracious God!
God will His people bless with strength and peace: LORD, may Your holy Word to us increase!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our Read Moore podcast is concentrating on praying the psalms to seek revival—why we should and what we might expect. In our twice-weekly Crosfigell column we have begun a new series on Brendan, called “The Navigator.” Why was he called that? Join us and find out. Our current ReVision series, “Pray for Your Church”, enters the home stretch now by leading us to pray for our church’s impact. And new in our bookstore, our book, The Ongoing Work of Christ shows us how the book of Acts provides a template and footprint for all who take up the work of building Jesus’ Church.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
