Finding Strength Through Change

When we come out of a personal or literal storm, we aren’t the same person who went into the storm. We have changed. We see things in a new light, or from a different perspective. The disciples were no exception.

“Who is this?” they questioned, as their boat rocked gently on the now calm sea. They had listened to Jesus teach the crowds. They had witnessed his many miracles. Not only had they watched Jesus turn water into wine and feed thousands of people with just a few loaves and fishes, they had seen the lame walk, the blind see, and the dead raised to life.

“Who is this?” they asked, even though they had heard the many titles Jesus attributed to himself:

• I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35

• I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. John 8:12

• I am the door of the sheep. John 10:7

• I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:9

• I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11

• I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. John 10:14

• I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. John 11:25

• I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

• I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. John 15:1

• I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

“Who is this?” Even though they had walked with him and dined with him and witnessed life-altering miracles, they really didn’t know this man. They didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of his power. They didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of his love for them.

Do we?

Even though we walk with him and dine with him and witness life-altering miracles, do we really know Jesus?

Do we really understand Jesus?

Do we fully grasp the magnitude of his power? Of his love for us?

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15:9-17

Jesus laid down his life for us. He wants us to know him. He wants us to be his friend.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. It’s us that needs to change. We need to go through our personal and literal storms so that we will know Jesus better. From a better perspective.

The book of John ends with the disciples having breakfast on the beach with Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. John 21:12.

By this time, they knew who he was. They didn’t need to ask anymore.

As we continue to go through personal and literal storms, let’s remember that we have a friend in Jesus. We have a good shepherd who will guide us. We have a light to keep us out of the darkness. And we have the way, the truth, and the life.

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:20

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“Lasting transformation happens during our stormy seasons, never during the days of our ease.”
-Robin Sharma

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