JESUS SAID: Where is Your Faith?
On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you say your faith is at? Is it in the range of 8-10 and you have high faith in Jesus? Is it somewhere in the middle of 4-6 where your faith is sometimes high and sometimes low? Or is it down in the 1-3 range where your faith frequently falters?
In Luke 8:25, Jesus asked this question: "Where is your faith?
This is how the stories goes in context starting with verse 22: "One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him" (Luke 8:22-25 NIV).
What key words or themes stand out as you read this? For me, the key theme is the fear the disciples showed when the storm came up. Another key theme is how Jesus responds to the raging storm; He basically put the storm in its place like it was no big deal. A third theme is shock of the disciples when Jesus calmed the storm; they had traveled with Him, and they still didn't really get who He was.
So what is your faith like when a challenge comes up in your life? Do you respond with fear? Do you rebuke the fear and the challenge in Jesus' name? Or do you still question the miracles that happen in your life, and still have fear and surprise when Jesus acts on your behalf?
Where is your faith? What is your emotional response to this question? Do you resist answering it for fear that the truth will be told?
For me, I think it is a question we should ask ourselves on a regular basis so you can track the trajectory of our faith over our lifetime.
What I'm hearing Jesus say to me right now is this: If you have seen me work in your life over the years, and you have personally experienced the miraculous love and grace of Jesus, why do you still doubt? Where is your faith?
I'm also hearing Jesus challenge me to know that there really is no such thing as a continuum of faith. There really isn't a faith score of 4-6, or even a 3 or 8. I'm hearing Jesus say "Where is your faith?" as in, is your faith a zero or a 10? Do you have faith, or do you not?
Today, I invite you to take a step of faith, to just have faith at a level 10. Believe, even when it's hard to believe. Be relaxed, even when things are going crazy around you. Sleep peacefully at night, knowing that Jesus is in control. Don't let your doubt slip in, even by one point. Just have faith!
If Jesus commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him, don't you think He can handle you and your problems? I think I'm going to place my faith in Jesus!
Dear Jesus,
I acknowledge that you are God.
Forgive me for my doubt.
Forgive me for my fear.
I trust you.
I believe that if you can command the winds and water,
you can command what needs to happen in my life.
Today, I live full in faith in You.
Amen.
