Luke 8:22-25 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Six in this series, seeking ten devotionals. Our focus falls upon “What manner of man is this”.

The incarnate God was and is a man. Not just any man, but fully man. Having read and seen all that Jesus did and does, we pale in comparison. So what made the BIG difference? Perhaps it was that the Holy Spirit was not given to him by measure.

John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

I have searched the scripture and I find no place where it is said that we are given His Spirit in measure. Faith yes, as indicated in Romans 12:1, but not so the Spirit. Even if it were true, what part of the Holy Spirit is not fully God? All that is mute in light of John 1:16.

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

All that Jesus was we are. So what is the difference? I would say it was in His manner.

Jesus would go off nightly to commune with the Father. There in those intimate moments the Father revealed His will to His Son. The Oneness of that relationship allowed God the Father to know His Son would do His will. The Faithful One could be trusted with all that lay before Him.

We have the Holy Spirit, we have the fullness of Christ, and we have faith. So what is stopping us from being that manner of man?

Perhaps it is because worldly men find it easier and more comforting to worship man than God.

Hero worship rather than worshipping God.

Mind your manners takes on a whole new meaning when coming into the presence of the one true God.

Luke 8:22-25 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Five in this series, seeking ten devotionals. Our focus falls upon “rebuked”.

Jesus demonstrates His power over all creation, even the wind and water. I think it is our lesson here to note the results of the rebuke, “they ceased and there was a calm”. We who call Jesus Lord of our lives, how do we respond to His rebuke?

For arguments sake, allow me to give you the ceased portion of the actions. You got called down for a behavior which warranted a rebuke and you stopped. I’ll give you that. Did calm follow? Was peace restored or was there some lingering sting or resentment? Do you beat yourself up for allowing things to get to that point? Do you hear yourself saying, “I know better, what’s the matter with me?”

How do you respond if the rebuke comes from a brother in the Lord? How do you act then?

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Rebuke is part of the Christian experience because we are called to be subject one to another. How you handle it and restore calm will be a clear indication of your growth in Christ.