Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ²⁴  They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”  And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.

 ²⁵  And He said to them, “Where is your faith?”  They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”  Luke 8:22-25. 

What did Jesus mean by “Where is your faith?”?  Did Jesus mean:  “Didn’t you know that I could calm the seas?”?  Or, did Jesus mean:  “Why didn’t you trust God to take care of you through this storm?”?

At first reading, I think most of us would think that Jesus meant something like the first question I posed.  But, after comparing the two possible meanings, I think Jesus meant something like the second question.  There is practical importance to this matter.

Verse 25 leads us to believe that the disciples had never witnessed such a miracle by Jesus or anyone else nor even thought of such a possibility.  Therefore, I do not think Jesus is criticizing His disciples for their lack of faith that He could do this miracle.  By their nature, miracles are surprising.  They are beyond our natural understanding that they are possible.  And, this was a particularly unique miracle, not just another miraculous healing.

Rather, I think Jesus perceived a lack of faith (by their question:  “”Master, Master, we are perishing!”) that God would take care of them through this storm.

Like the disciples, we tend to panic, and we think that God “slipped up” and allowed something to occur beyond His control.  We doubt His sovereign control.  We doubt His love for us.  We doubt His care for us.

We think that God fell asleep.

We think that we should wake up God and that we should dictate how He should remedy His neglect.

But, God never falls asleep.  “Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.”  Psalm 121:4.

God “… preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation …”.  See Question and Answer 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism.

We tend to demand that God calm the storms in our lives.  And, often, God does calm the storms in our lives.  But, sometimes, God wants us to ride out the storms, trusting Him that He will get us through those storms.

For me, most of the storms in my life have been financial.  I tend to demand that God cause the check to be delivered to me today!  And, often, the check is delivered within my comfort time zone.  But, sometimes, the check is not delivered within my comfort time zone.

I often think of one time, years ago, when such check was not delivered within my comfort time zone.  Not only did I have bills that were due, I did not even have lunch money.  This was a real storm to me!

I grumbled, thinking:  “Here, I am, God, doing all this great work for You, and I am even delivering something to my Pastor during lunch hour, and I am hungry and don’t have lunch money!”

God could have justly smacked me across the room, but He brought me to a room where the Pastor was walking me through the fellowship hall, talking to me.  At that time and place, the ladies of the church were having a potluck lunch, and they insisted that I sit down and have lunch.  Each lady seemed to compete with the other ladies to put forth their own dish in front of me, insisting that I eat some of each of their dishes.

I still grumbled a little, thinking the check still had not arrived, but the delicious food dissipated those fleeting grumblings.  I had to crack a smile, thinking:  “OK, God, I am having a great lunch.”

Later, the bills were paid.  But, more importantly, God built up my faith.

In conclusion, it is OK to pray the check arrives in the mail.  It is OK to pray that God will calm whatever storm may arise in our lives.  But, we need to understand that sometimes God wants us to ride out that storm, and we should never show a lack of faith by thinking that God is asleep or that He messed up or that He does not love us or care for us.

 ²¹  But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”  Luke 8:19-21.

Throughout Scripture and our common experiences, we see the temptation to focus on ourselves and what we should do, rather than focus on God and what He has done.  Accordingly, one could be tempted to read the Scripture for today and think:  “I must focus on myself and do a better job on hearing God’s Word and do a better job of doing it, in order to be that mother or brother of Jesus!” 

The crowd following Jesus was so tempted.  “Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:28-29.  Notice how Jesus turned the focus from man to God.  Notice how Jesus turned the focus from the works of man to “the work of God”.  Notice how Jesus turned the focus from man exercising his will-power to somehow gain faith to God giving faith as His work. 

Thus, the key to the Scripture today is not to focus on ourselves and what we should do, rather than focus on God and what He has done.  Accordingly, we have the right focus:  “If I am Jesus’ mother or brother, then I will hear the word of God and I will do it!”  

We further think:  “I cannot make myself into Jesus’ mother or brother.  Only God can make that relationship.”  We search Scripture and meditate on God and His work in making these relationships.

Sigh!  There are 804 verses in the Bible which has in it either the word “mother” or “brother”.  But, we think that the Psalms contains more short conclusions and declarations of God’s work compared to historical accounts in most of the rest of Scripture (at least in the Old Testament).  So, we start there.

We may not find Scripture as simple as “God has made me to be a mother or brother of Jesus.”  But, we find the following which indicates the close family relationship that we have with God:

“So take care how you listen;  for whoever has, to him more shall be given;  and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”  Luke 8:18.

Let us dig, like we are digging for treasure, for the meaning of this Scripture.

On its face, it would seem like this Scripture primarily advises us of our duty to raise truth high, and make it clear and simple and bright, so that all may see the light.  But, then, why does Jesus use parables to teach?  Why does Jesus make statements such as:  “… “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.”???  Luke 8:10. 

The answer is that there are two different parties addressed:  God and man.  On the one hand, God has the prerogative, authority, and power to unconditionally elect those people who will know the mysteries of the kingdom of God and be saved.  God even has the prerogative, authority, and power to unconditionally elect those people whom He will hardened.  On the other hand, man has the duty to raise truth high, and make it clear and simple and bright, so that all may see the light.

Regarding the duty of man, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”  Mark 16:15  “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

Regarding the prerogative of God, “So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.  You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault?  For who resists His will?”  On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God?  The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?  Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?”  Romans 9:18-21. 

But, even regarding the duty of man, God is sovereign.  God will accomplish all of His good pleasure.  “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.”  Luke 8:16-17.  We may be shy.  We may be weak.  We may be inclined to cover or even hide our light.  We may not  want to tell others about our faith.  We may want to keep our faith secret. 

But, God is the One who lights our lamp.  God is the One who puts us on the table.   God is the One who takes off any containers or veils “so that those who come in may see the light”.

“For You light my lamp;  The LORD my God illumines my darkness.”  Psalm 18:28 

Isaiah 49:9
“Saying to those who are bound, ‘Go forth, ‘To those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves ‘ Along the roads they will feed,And their pasture will be on all bare heights.”

^“I waited patiently for the LORD;
         And He inclined to me and heard my cry. 
 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
         And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. 
 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
         Many will see and fear
         And will trust in the LORD.”  Psalm 40:1-3.

“…’My purpose will be established,
         And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’; 
    Calling a bird of prey from the east,
         The man of My purpose from a far country
         Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
         I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:10-11. 

“Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”  Daniel 12:3

Praise God!

 ⁴³  Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”

 ⁴⁴  Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?  I entered your house;  you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

 ⁴⁵  “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.

 ⁴⁶  “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.

 ⁴⁷  “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much;  but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

 ⁴⁸  Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.”

 ⁴⁹  Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”

 ⁵⁰  And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you;  go in peace.”  Luke 7:41-50.

As I read this story, I thought of two groups, two boxes.  I was eager and quick to put myself in the box of the debtor who only owed fifty denarii.  I felt that I am one of the group that only sinned a little and that only needs to be forgiven a little.  After all, I have been a Christian my entire life.  I have sinned only a little, and those few sins have only been little sins.  I am not in the same group as that woman!  I don’t want to be in the same box as that sinner!  

It is amazing, and shows the depth of my sin, that I could feel this way even after reading the two very similar accounts in the Scripture for today.  I have only quoted one account.  The other account is in Luke 7:36-40.  I would rather smugly think of my own self-righteousness and receive no forgiveness than put myself in the same group, the same box, “with that woman!” whose sins were many. 

However, really, there is only one group.  There is only one box.  There is the group of those people whose sins are many and who are in such astonishingly great debt that their only hope is forgiveness and there is need is for much forgiveness.  She is like me! 

As I read this story again, I consider how this woman anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume, mixed in her own tears, and wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair.  How can I show my thanks?!  I cannot do this literally, as this woman did, to show Jesus my thanks for His forgiveness of my many and great sins.

But, I can pray and ask Jesus:  “How can I show my thanks to you like this woman?”

And Jesus tells me:  “I will guide you in the paths of righteousness for My name’s sake.  (Psalm 23:3).  What you do for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you do it to Me.  (Matthew 25:40).”

 ³³  “For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’

 ³⁴  “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

 ³⁵  “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”  Luke 7:31-35.

Like the “men of this generation”, how eager and quick we are today to be critical of others, particularly of fellow Christians!  If someone does not drink, then we criticize him or her as a self-righteous tee-totaler.  If someone does drink, then we criticize him or her as a drunk or a lush. 

If our criticism was limited to criticism of eating and drinking, then the harm would be limited, but we extend our criticism to other areas.  We are eager and quick to box fellow Christians into other groups as well.  For example, we are eager and quick to box fellow Christians into either the group of legalists or the group of antinomians (outlaws*), and thus we harm their message and ministry.  * Click here: Antinomians – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Let us remember the great differences between John the Baptist and Jesus.  And yet, each had their own unique purpose, message, and ministry.  “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”  John the Baptist and Jesus were each vindicated by the fruit of their ministry.   

“If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.  And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?  If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?  But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”  1 Corinthians 12:15-18. 

Romans 14:4
“Who are you to judge the servant of another?  To his own master he stands or falls;  and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”

 ²⁶  “But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet.

 ²⁷  “This is the one about whom it is written,
         ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU,
         WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’

 ²⁸  “I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John;  yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”  Luke 7:24-28.

It is interesting to me that Jesus waited until the messengers of John had left, before He began to speak to the crowds about John.  One could think that Jesus would have wanted to give such complements about John in front of these messengers. 

But, I think Jesus often deals with us the same way.  We may want such complements, but Jesus is often stern with us, telling us, in effect, to get back to work.  Jesus will encourage us as is best for us, but He does not want the motivation for our works to primarily be praise from man.

In yesterday’s devotion, Jesus’ answer to the messengers of John seems rather stern.  “When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?'”  …   And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard:  the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.  “Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”  Luke 7:20-23. 

As a baby-boomer with parents and friends of parents in “the greatest generation”,  I often was surprised at how stern they were to me and their other children.  I knew that they loved us, and they would encourage us.  But, it was not as much or as often as we may have wanted.  However, I learned over time that it was for our good, intentional or not.  (They may have felt that they were more lenient and more loving than their parents.)  They did not want us to be soft, self-absorbed, and dependent on the praises of man for our motivation to act righteously and faithfully. 

One Scripture that help me get through my youth, and even now, is Lamentations 3:27:
“It is good for a man that he should bear The yoke in his youth.”

Here is the context.

^“25  The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
         To the person who seeks Him.
    ²⁶  It is good that he waits silently
         For the salvation of the LORD.
    ²⁷  It is good for a man that he should bear
         The yoke in his youth.
    ²⁸  Let him sit alone and be silent
         Since He has laid it on him.
    ²⁹  Let him put his mouth in the dust,
         Perhaps there is hope.”  Lamentations 3:25-29.