[New podcast episode about demons out now; see link in the notes below.]

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Who you think Jesus is influences who you are becoming. Let me explain.

Mark 4:38-41 (ESV) records one of Jesus’ most dramatic miracles. He was with his disciples in a boat when a huge storm came upon them. “Teacher,” they cried out, “do you not care that we are perishing?”

Jesus rebuked the storm as if he was rebuking a person.

And then, calm.

“Why are you so afraid?” he said. “Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’”

The story teaches us a lot of things. One of them is about the identity of Jesus. After his jaw-dropping feat they ask, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” The story is designed for you and me to answer that exact question for ourselves.

It matters because who you think Jesus is influences who you are becoming. A lot of people say they want to be “like Jesus.” But if you want to actually be like Jesus, you have to know what Jesus is actually like.

If our understanding of Jesus is partial, then we may stunt our own spiritual growth. 

For example, if you don’t think he’s a teacher, you won’t fully benefit from his wisdom. If you do, you will. Or if you don’t think he’s a Saviour, you won’t take sin seriously or perhaps rely on his grace. If you do, you will. 

Do we have blind spots which limit our understanding and which hinder our spiritual growth?

Today, my suggestion is simple. As you read the stories about Jesus, pay attention to the parts you like and also the parts you don’t. 

After studying the calming of the storm in Mark 4, I’m convinced that the story is meant to point us in a certain direction—that Jesus is in fact the Lord himself. Who else can govern the wind and waves? Only God. It’s meant to make us ponder: Can it be true? Has the Lord himself come to us as a man? 

If you know him to be a wise King, you will serve him with loyalty and gratitude. If you know him to be an exorcist, you will live in the power of his name as you confront evil. If you know him to be Lord, you will experience increasing peace as you engage in his loving mission to the world. 

If you want to actually be like Jesus, you have to know what Jesus is actually like. 

Notice your blind spots, self-correct, and grow. Who you think Jesus is influences you who are becoming.

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Notes and extra content:

Notes:

—New Podcast: “How do demons gain access to people? – a talk with Steve Dabbs.” Find it on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ wherever you subscribe (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc), on YouTube here, or at the episode home base here.