Jesus Protects His Disciples by Fiercely Confronting the Raging Storm
We are talking today about how the fierceness of Jesus in calming the raging storm on the Sea of Galilee also is the protection of Jesus for his friends in the boat. This is not a one time correlation.
Jesus, as a “whole” person, is the Lion and the Lamb… which is strength and fierceness combined with gentleness, tenderness and compassion. Usually, however, we are first drawn to the Lamb side of Jesus because He is safe and opens our hearts by His tenderness and compassion. However, we also need the Lion side – so that Jesus is powerful enough to deal with real evil. If He is only gentle and tender, we are still vulnerable to evil and powerless to defend ourselves from it. The problem we run into in life, is that often “powerful” humans use their power to harm other people. So we being to fear power. But when you look into the face of Jesus, you find power that is “pure.”
Consider how Jesus uses His power & fierceness.
Luke 13:10 A woman who has been bent over for 18 years is healed by Jesus after His sermon. The synagogue ruler is furious or indignant with Jesus for doing this. It is outside the “rules” of what is supposed to happen in a meeting. As the ruler turns and criticizes the people for coming to be healed on Saturday (the “church” day) Jesus turns on the ruler, ” ‘You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall an lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?’ When He said this all His opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted….”
Notice that the fierceness of Jesus to silence the ruler protect the woman? She might have walked away filled with shame wondering, “Am I supposed to be healed? Was that really God? Why was the Priest so angry with me?” Jesus drops His shield of protection over her.
Notice also the compassion of Jesus. He “sees” her suffering. It is not a little thing to Him. It touches Him and he says it was 18 “long years.” It wasn’t a little thing to Jesus and He wants her and us free and whole!
Secondly, consider the fierceness of Jesus when He “Cleanses the Temple” John 2:12 and Matthew 21:12
Jesus, in fierceness, drives out the money making servants of the Pharisees. The were using an unfair exchange rate when changing common money into temple money. They were also charging more for a “temple lamb” or “temple bird” for a sacrifice that it was worth in the country. By both these messages the Priestly class was extorting money from the people… “as they were coming to worship God!” How offensive on top of getting ripped off! Jesus comes in tears the place apart, kicks over the money changers tables, frees the animals and cracks a whip to drive everyone out. But notice the verse in Matthew 21:14 “The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them.”
FINALLY – exactly what the temple on earth was meant for! So that weak and broken people could find God and be healed. The fierceness of Jesus brings protection for the weak and broken!
Thirdly, consider Jesus during demonic encounters like Mark 1:25 or Luke 4:35. When something evil raises it’s head or it’s voice – Jesus instantly slams it to the ground and drives it out of people. The fierceness of Jesus against evil results in people being protected and delivered.
So… as we struggle to understand and “trust” the Lion side of Jesus… let’s look deeper than just being afraid of how humans abuse power. Let’s look at Jesus and find out what He is really doing and who is really being delivered or protected.