Introduction
The concept of the Trinity of God and the belief that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully Man can be challenging for many people to understand. However, it is essential to remain steadfast in these beliefs, as they are fundamental to our Christian faith (read our articles: “The Trinity of God,” “The God We Serve,” and “Understanding the Trinity of God and the Deity of the Lord Jesus”). We should also be aware that many so-called Christian churches do not adhere to the doctrine of the Trinity.
The Gospels refer to the Lord Jesus as both the Son of God and the Son of Man (read our articles: “The Lord Jesus: the Son of God and the Son of Man,” “Teachings about the Lord Jesus Being the Son of God and the Son of Man”). Firstly, as the Son of God, the Lord Jesus is declared by the Voice of the Father from heaven on two occasions as His “beloved Son”: during the Lord Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11) and at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7). Additionally, the Lord Jesus frequently describes Himself as the Son of God.
Secondly, the Lord Jesus identifies Himself in the Gospels as the Son of Man a total of eighty-one times. But what does it mean when He calls Himself the Son of Man? Essentially, this signifies that He declares Himself as fully human as well and understands our struggles. And because the Lord Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Man, no one can say that God doesn’t know what it’s like to be human.
The Lord Jesus Calms the Storm
In Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25, we find the story of the Lord Jesus calming a storm, where the Lord Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples as both the Son of God and the Son of Man at the same time. This narrative can be referred to as the “boat of fundamental faith,” where we witness both the humanity and deity of Jesus Christ. He is fully human, as the Son of Man, and fully divine, as the Son of God.
Our belief in who the Lord Jesus is distinguishes us from all other religions. For every believer, it is essential to understand that the Lord Jesus is one hundred percent Man and one hundred percent God simultaneously. Furthermore, within the Trinity, there are three distinct Persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This understanding forms the foundation of our faith.
When we face challenges in our lives and feel troubled and weary, we should turn to the “boat of fundamental faith” and trust in the Lord Jesus so we can persevere in our faith. If we remember who the Lord Jesus is for us in all our situations, the outcomes will be as described in this passage from Mark 4:35-41:
35 And on that day, evening having come, He says to them, Let us pass over to the other side.
36 And having dismissed the multitude, they take Him with them, even as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him.
“Even as He was” in this place means the Lord Jesus had been with people all day long, no eating, no resting, tired as He was, and they took Him as He was, hungry and tired.
“And other boats were with Him.” These boats refer to other people who followed the Lord Jesus as He sailed away; many people followed Him everywhere He would go. The main idea in all three Gospels for this part is that the Lord Jesus and His disciples got into a boat to cross to the other side of the sea, and the Lord Jesus was tired.
37 And comes a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat is now filling.
38 And He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they awaken Him, and say to Him, Teacher, is it not a concern to Thee that we perish?
The main idea in this part is that the Father created the storm, the Lord Jesus was asleep, and the disciples were afraid, so they went as a group to awaken the Lord. The situation described in Mark is that the Father created this great windstorm with waves breaking into the boat, the Lord Jesus was tired and sleeping on a cushion in the stern, and the disciples were all frightened and went to wake the Lord. The main difference between the Gospels in this part is the way the disciples address the Lord Jesus when they go as a group to awaken Him. In Mark, they call to Him “Teacher”; in Matthew, they call to Him “Lord, save us”; and in Luke, they call to Him “Master, Master”.
The Father created the situation with the sea storm to strengthen the faith of the disciples in following the Lord Jesus. The Father wanted them to see that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God, and they should listen and obey Him. Building up their faith was important, as the Lord Jesus’ disciples would face many challenges in the future, and they would need a strong faith to persevere. To follow the Lord Jesus was not easy for them. Their life no longer belongs to themselves; they belong to the Lord Jesus.
39 And He awoke, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Each Gospel gives a snapshot of the discussion between the Lord and the disciples. In each situation, the Lord Jesus teaches His disciples, and all the time, He will teach His disciples as a Teacher and Master, which is always teaching and ordering. The primary point of this section is that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God, and He has power over nature through His Word, and peace is found in His Word. In Mark, we are given the Words the Lord Jesus used to calm the storm: “Peace, be still!” Concentrate on these two words: peace for the whole earth and nature; when you find that peace, you will be still and waiting for the Lord’s guidance. The Lord speaks in the peace of your heart; you can feel it clearer if you are still. Do not just remember the words; practice as well. You never gain benefits by knowing the Word and not putting it into practice. In this place, it clearly says, “Peace be still,” and the Lord does not speak lightly without meaning; here is the place that shows this. To have peace in you, come to the Word, and you will find that peace. Not the peace of the mind alone, but the peace of the soul; you will feel deep peace of the soul. You will know the difference, not the peace in the head but the peace of the soul; everybody has that chance to feel it, but we never really pay attention and think of the different ways that we feel. The Lord Jesus speaks “peace” to nature, and nature obeys, but men do not obey. In this part, it shows all humans that nature obeys suddenly; just the words come out from the mouth of the Lord, and nature obeys. The peace is in His Word; nature can find it and obey, so the men can, by obeying His Word.
40 And He said to them, Why are you fearful? Have you not yet faith?
41 And they were terrified with great fear, and said one to another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?
As the disciples posed this question to themselves in verse 41, we can also ask: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Our answers should recognize that the Lord Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man simultaneously. Furthermore, although He was in human flesh, He remains the sinless Lamb of God, as the Bible tells us. He is the only human who lived without sin, yet He was crucified and died for our sins so that we might be reconciled with God through faith in Him. As followers of the Lord Jesus, we are called to be His ambassadors on earth, testifying to both His deity and humanity and that He is the only One who can bring reconciliation to God for humans, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.
14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that One died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, that they that live should no longer live to themselves, but to Him who for their sakes died and rose again. 16 Therefore, we henceforth know no man after the flesh; even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know Him so no more. 17 Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. 18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 how that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us; we beseech you on behalf of Christ: be you reconciled to God. 21 Him who knew no sin, He made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the Lord Jesus, who is the Son of God and the Son of Man, reconciled us to God. He is our Master and Lord for our earthly life; we must live for Him and sail with Him with peace and no fear regardless of our life’s challenges. His Words, “Peace! Be still!” should resonate constantly in our hearts as we sail with Him daily.
All things stop, and a great calm comes into our lives when we surrender our wills to Him. We can talk to Him as we would to a man, telling all our troubles, and He will understand. And we can talk to Him as our God, believing He has the power and authority to help us.
Meditation Tasks:
- Meditate on the topic of reconciliation to God as described in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.