Human

The gospel account of Jesus calming the sea and waves (Mark 4: 35-41) paints a vivid picture of our Lord's humanity and deity.

Jesus took the entire day teaching parables to the multitude. In Chapter Four we see Jesus speaking about the parable of the sower and soils (verses 1-12). As soon as He was alone, His disciples and followers began asking Him a number of things. "What does the parable mean, Lord?" And Jesus patiently answered them as He related two other stories: the parable of the seed (verses 26-29) and the parable of the mustard seed (verses 30-33).

We don't see how physically tired Jesus was until we begin to read verses 35-41. As they were crossing the Sea of Galilee, "there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up" (verse 37). The disciples panicked—from experience as fishermen, they probably knew what a life-threatening situation in the sea looked like. They knew they could die any minute! And yet, we find Jesus in "the stern, sleep on the cushion" (verse 38). And why is that? It is true that our Lord wanted to teach His disciples a valuable spiritual lesson, but could it be possible, too, that He was also just tired?

Jesus, after all, is fully human as well. He has a human body (John 1:14). He was born to a human mother (Luke 2:7). He grew up (Luke 2:40, 52). He grew tired (John 4:6). He got thirsty (John 19:28) and hungry (Matthew 4:2). He was physically weak (Matthew 4:11, Luke 23:26). David Matthis wrote, "Jesus is like us in every respect—human body, heart, mind, and will—except for sin (Hebrews 2:17; 4:15)."

As Llaine Callanta, one of our Agape members, was sharing this passage during our mini-Bible study workshop in Agape last week, I couldn't help but savor this precious truth: Jesus knows how it feels to be me—a human being. 

So when I pray that He grant me strength to carry on my hospital duties, He knows the feeling of physical weakness, and He knows exactly what kind of strength to provide. 

When I ask Him for joy when my heart is filled with pain, sorrow, grief, or depression, He knows exactly how to lift my spirits up. 

When I ask Him for a delicious meal to eat when I hear my stomach grumble, He knows exactly what food to provide. 

When I pray for guidance to make important, life-changing decisions and I am filled with anxiety, He knows exactly how to dispel my worries with His assurances.

When I struggle with sins or when I am tempted, He knows exactly where I am weakest, and He gives me the grace to overcome these struggles.

But let's go back to the parable. The disciples rushed to where Jesus was sleeping soundly, and they woke him up with a question that reflected their lack of faith, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" (verse 38). Of course, Jesus cared! And they were with Jesus—why would they even think that they would perish? Wasn't Jesus' presence assurance enough that nothing bad would happen to them. But Jesus would deal with them later. 

Jesus woke up, "rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Hush, be still.'And Jesus said to them, 'Why are you to timid? How is it that you have no faith?'" (verses 39-40).

Their reaction was fear—"And they became very much afraid and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'" (Mark 4:41).

It was about this time that the disciples realized they were speaking to no mere mortal. They were in the presence of God Himself.

Isn't that great news: that the God I am praying to knows exactly what I'm going through and possesses the supernatural power to grant the desires of my heart, if they are in tune with His will?