The disciples became acquainted with Jesus. He came their way, and they found him quite interesting.
They placed their faith in him. They recognized him as their Lord and Savior and confessed him to be the Messianic Son of God.
It was then that the disciples left their fathers, mothers, occupations, and homes to be with Jesus He was their rabbi, and they were his traveling band of students. Wherever he went, they determined to follow.
Faithfully, The Twelve assisted Jesus in his ministry.
Over time, as they matured, Jesus’ fellows began to look more and more like him. He informed their minds, changed their hearts, altered their speech, motivated their actions, and granted them supernatural ability to preach truth, exorcise demons, feed the hungry, and heal the damaged.
Then, one evening, they received their next marching orders — or sailing orders …
Luke 8:22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out,
For most of them, this was no big deal. All had grown up around or on the lake, and some of them had become seasoned veterans on the water. However, on that particular night, all the seaman lost their sea-legs …
Luke 8:23 And as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger.
That which formerly seemed like “no big deal,” became a disastrous catastrophe. Panic set in as they encountered the wind, waves, and darkness. They lost their confident swagger. They doubted their skills. Perhaps even they distrusted the wisdom and guidance of Jesus. These twelve believers, they became light in faith.
However, at that point, sensing their impotency, a couple fellows did the next right thing. They woke up the Master of the Universe saying …
“Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” (Matthew 8:25)
“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38)
“Master, Master, we are perishing!” (Luke 8:24)
It was then the awakened Jesus went to work on the seas. Immediately, he showed his power as he calmed the wind and waves. In an instant, all was well on the water.
It was also, in that instant, that the awakened Jesus went to work on the seamen. The disciples “marveled” at him. (Matthew 8:27) They were terrified by him. (Mark 4:41) In the words of Luke, “In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this?” (Luke 8:25)
Friends, it is with humble reverence, as a doubting believer, that I approach Jesus right now. And with quivering lips I speak the words, “Jesus, wake up!“
In my family, we have recently been shaken to the core. Great illness befell my daughter-in-law last week. We were all on our knees bellowing out, “Jesus, wake up!”
In the land in which I dwell, everything seems shaky. In many ways, it looks like we are going down for the count. Our national catastrophe will not be solved by anyone named Harris, Trump, or Kennedy. The only possible remedy for what troubles us is the King of Kings. Brothers and sisters in the United States, we need Jesus.
In the church in which I serve and worship, we need to sense his calming and miraculous power. Experience and skill do not seem to be enough right now. At Horizon Church, we need Jesus to arise and do his thing.
In my own heart, I am sensing the growing doubt and disbelief. Sure, I am a disciple of Jesus. Sure, I have seen him do good work. Sure, I have even been used by the Holy Spirit to produce fruit. However, I cannot control the wind blowing in my head and the waves raging within my heart. I need personal revival. I need the Great Physician to do work on my soul. I can’t fix what ails me. I need Jesus!
How about you? Have you come to an end of yourself? Are your knees shaking while your heart quakes? Maybe Jesus will arise, stretch out his magnificent arm, speak with his mighty voice, and do what only he can do. Maybe Jesus will awake, terrify, fear, amaze, and save. Will you, with me, more fervently pray, “Jesus, wake up!”
Unfathomable Grace 