Matthew 8:23-27
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
In our last passage, Jesus made it clear that following him means recognizing him as our home and our life. Read Matthew 8:23-27 with this in mind.
At creation, God made humans the caretakers of nature. The first people were told to take “dominion” over the wildness of nature and emulate their Creator by bringing order just as God brought order to the formless earth (Genesis 1:1-2 and 1:28). In that perfect state, people had no fear of the elements or anxiety over the forces of nature because God had given them authority over them. It was human rebellion that distorted God’s good and perfect ways and ushered fear and anxiety into the human experience.
Jesus is the only human who never rebelled. As such, he can sleep through storms resting in his God-given authority.
Take a few minutes to meditate on the words of the Apostle Paul regarding the identity of a follower of Jesus:
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” – Colossians 3:1-3
Read Matthew 8:23-27 again prayerfully listening to anything Jesus might want to say to you through this passage.
The reality of heaven is the Kingdom of God where everything is set right - the way God intended. When we surrender control of our lives to Jesus and die to our old ways of being and living, our “real life is hidden with Christ in God.” As we live in Christ we can rest in his authority over the wildness of nature and over every manifestation of chaos in and around us. The storms will come, and in our brokenness we will be afraid, but Jesus will not leave us, and ultimately he will calm every storm.
For the last few minutes of this meditation get quiet and recognize the presence of Jesus in and around you. When you are ready, consider using the words of Paul to begin talking to Jesus:
“My real life is hidden in you, Jesus.”
What do you sense Jesus saying to you today?
What will you do to “set your sights on the realities of heaven” today?
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