Terrified and Amazed
The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” – Luke 8:25
One could wonder why the disciples were terrified after experiencing this miracle. This would be natural if this was the first time experiencing a miracle, but it wasn’t.
Based on our human condition, I think that on the contrary, we should wonder why we should not be terrified with every Jesus miracle.
Allow me to explain. Each miracle represented the divine nature of Jesus, and as such, his holiness. Each experience also reminded the disciples who they were: fallen creatures with sinful inclinations. Can you see the contrast? The prophet Isaiah did.
“It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man …Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” – Isaiah 6:5
Isaiah had a vision of God’s holiness, and as a result, he understood that his sinful condition was so contrary to God’s holiness that, humanly speaking, he deserved to die.
Peter also saw the contrast.
“Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” – Luke 5:8
We should also see the contrast. Yes, God is approachable to us, but he is still God. Yes, Jesus is our friend, but he is still our Lord.
If we could truly see his holiness in comparison to our sinfulness, we would realize how far we are from God: this should terrify us. If we could understand that the consequence should be death (but in Christ we receive life), we would realize how great his love for us is: this should amaze us.
He is both our Abba father and a holy God. He is our friend and our Lord.
Are you terrified and amazed? What is your reaction?
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