A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Oh, you of little faith”, Part 37
Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional
“Oh, you of little faith”
“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them,
“Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”
Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
“The men wondered in amazement, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
The Words of Jesus, Matthew 8:23-27.
Jesus is God, incarnate. God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. Why would He ask His disciples, “Why are you afraid?” Shouldn’t He know?
This is an ‘emphatic interrogative’ aimed at no one in particular and everyone in general. It is not necessarily meant to garner a response, as it is meant to make everyone aware of what is going on.
These words of Jesus are a proclamation similar to a colloquial expression such as, “What is wrong with you guys?!” A more complete and accurate translation might be, “Which certain ones of you, which someone or anyone, afraid?”
It is also important to know that the word Jesus uses, “afraid”, in the Greek is ‘deilos’ means, “fear-driven, dreadful, describing a person who loses the moral gumption and fortitude that is needed to follow the Lord.”
This word refers to an excessive fear or dread. Being fainthearted and cowardly – hence, to fall short in following Christ as Lord.
This type of fear comes from a lack of faith, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” This is not the typical fear that causes ‘fight or flight’. This kind of fear renders you helpless and vulnerable to circumstances and the wiles of the devil.
Although we, as English-speaking people, may not understand the nuance of what Jesus is saying, His disciples knew exactly what He is saying. It is not the first time, nor will it be the last time Jesus chides His disciples in this manner.
This was spoken to His disciples in the boat during a storm, and it is Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional. It was spoken and is written to you and to me, today!
The Bible instructs us to “fear not” or “do not be afraid” 63 times in the King James Version and 61 times in the New American Standard. Repetition is used to make a very strong and important point. “Without faith, it is impossible to please God”.
God knows all things. He knows what is coming upon you, and He even knows how you will respond and react. There is a Purpose in all things that come upon you. They may be bewildering, unpleasant, even deadly, but know this: “[With great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
The Purpose of God’s Eternal Plan is Perfection. He is maturing and perfecting His people into His image, ultimately to live in Perfect harmony with Him and with one another, in a New and Perfect heaven and earth.
Each and every chapter, verse and word in the Bible, when viewed within this context of God’s Eternal Plan of Perfection, begins to make perfect sense.
This is a Christian’s life experience, and without having been transformed and made new, you cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
When you encounter times of trouble, trials and tribulations, fear not. Jesus says, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have faith, that is personal trust and confidence in Me, and do not doubt or allow yourself to be drawn in two directions, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen as God wills it.” (Matthew 21:21, amplified version).
Let’s be strong and courageous and pray for one another that we endure to the end, for then we are saved!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Your sins are forgiven”, Part 38
PREVIOUS: A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Foxes have holes”, Part 36
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Isaiah 8:12-14
“You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’
In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy,
And you are not to fear what they fear nor be in dread of it.
“It is the Lord of hosts whom you are to regard as holy and awesome.
He shall be your fear,
He shall be your dread [not man].
“Then He shall be a sanctuary [a sacred, indestructible shelter for those who fear and trust Him];
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