When we talk about power, we are talking about the possession of control, authority, or influence over something. When we talk about the power of Christ, we need to divide the areas of power because He, being God in the flesh, has power over everything. In Genesis 1:1, He created everything. In John 1:1-3, we see Jesus, referred to here as the Word, once again we are told he is the creator. As the creator of nature, He has power over it.
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
John 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.”
In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus shows his power over nature. When Jesus took on the form of a man, He took on all that comes with a physical body. He got tired just like any other man. Jesus had been teaching the multitudes all day. He was talking to the multitude from the boat and when evening came. The disciples sent the multitude away and Jesus told the disciples to take the boat to the other side of the water. Mark tells us there were other boats that followed them. Jesus needed sleep and this was probably the only way he could find it. He goes to the rear of the boat, finds a pillow, and goes to sleep. While He was napping, a great storm comes upon them. The disciples are afraid they will all die in the storm. Meanwhile, Jesus is sleeping peacefully. They allowed their fear of the natural world to override their knowledge of the spiritual world. They knew Jesus was the Messiah, they had been with Him when He had performed many miracles. They obviously knew He could control the stormy situation, or they would not have felt compelled to wake Him. Yet, even in their knowledge of Him, they were still amazed at His control of the storm. Jesus could have commanded the storm to stop simply with a thought, but for their benefit, He said, “Peace be still.” He calmed the storm and calmed their fears.
Mark 4:35-41 “And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
In Matthew 21:17-20, Jesus has just experienced His triumphant ride into Jerusalem. He goes back to Bethany to spend the night and the next morning to returns to the city. He is hungry, and on His way sees a leafy fig tree. When He comes to the tree and there is no fruit on it. He pronounces that from that point on no fruit will grow on that tree. The next day as they pass by the tree, the disciples notice the tree is dead. Jesus once again shows His power over nature.
Matthew 21:17-20 “And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!”
In both situations, Jesus proves His power over nature, and each time the disciples were amazed. In the lesson on the water, Jesus asks them why they are so fearful and do they not have faith. Jesus knew the answer but wanted them to understand if they truly believed He was who He said He was, they had no need to fear. How often do we act like the disciples? In our head knowledge, we believe God can do anything. He is in total control, yet we pray and ask God to do something and are amazed when He answers.
We live in a world where natural disasters are everywhere, and it may seem that God doesn’t care, or He is silent. However, we need to learn from the disciples that He is faithful and His power over nature is still in control. Why do natural disasters happen? Only God knows the complete answer to that, but I do know from His word that He is seeking glory from them. We also need to look at all the beauty God has given us and sustained for us. Instead of focusing on the negative effects that are occurring in nature, try celebrating the beauty that the majority of us enjoy all around us every day. His power over creation is just as intact as it was in the beginning. He who created everything is still in charge and nothing surprises Him.
