“The disciples were amazed, ‘Who is this man?’ they asked. ‘Even the winds and waves obey him!’”
“The demons began screaming at him, ‘Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?’”
Matthew 8:27, 29 NLT
What an interesting contrast! The disciples were amazed at Jesus’ power to calm a storm and questioned who He was. The demons were afraid of Jesus’ power, because they KNEW who He was!
But, no wonder the demons screamed in terror—that same Power had cast them out of heaven. So, in fear of a Power they knew, the demons begged Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs. Then later when the townspeople saw what that Power had done, they begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, because they were afraid of a Power they did NOT know.
The disciples, on the other hand, were simply in shock, “Who is this man?” Even though they had been with Jesus for some time, they still didn’t really know Him. But at least they didn’t beg Jesus to go away. Instead, they followed Him even more closely because they wanted to know Him more intimately!
What about me? I wonder how I respond when I see God’s Power working in my life. Do I fear His ways and beg Him to leave me alone, or do l trust His love, and follow Him more closely?
My choice depends on how I answer this question:
“Who is this man—to me?”
