Luke 8:22-25 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Seven in this series, seeking ten devotionals. Our focus falls upon “into the ship”.

Have you ever noticed how many spiritual messages have been delivered by ship or water vessel? There was Noah of course, Moses set in a basket upon the river Nile, Jonah trying to escape God, Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water to Jesus and even the apostle Paul’s voyages. It is apparent to me that the message and the passenger is more important than the vessel.

When I think of all the different types of boats, ships, even Moses’ basket, I lump them together into the term vessel. Are we not an earthen vessel? He is the potter, we are the clay. Are we not a vessel on which the words of His commandments are written on our hearts? Is not the Holy Spirit a passenger in this vessel? Are we not less important than the message and the passenger?

The ship takes a lesser position in the telling. It is humble.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

A ship, a service vessel.

Luke 8:22-25 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Six in this series, seeking ten devotionals. Our focus falls upon “What manner of man is this”.

The incarnate God was and is a man. Not just any man, but fully man. Having read and seen all that Jesus did and does, we pale in comparison. So what made the BIG difference? Perhaps it was that the Holy Spirit was not given to him by measure.

John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

I have searched the scripture and I find no place where it is said that we are given His Spirit in measure. Faith yes, as indicated in Romans 12:1, but not so the Spirit. Even if it were true, what part of the Holy Spirit is not fully God? All that is mute in light of John 1:16.

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

All that Jesus was we are. So what is the difference? I would say it was in His manner.

Jesus would go off nightly to commune with the Father. There in those intimate moments the Father revealed His will to His Son. The Oneness of that relationship allowed God the Father to know His Son would do His will. The Faithful One could be trusted with all that lay before Him.

We have the Holy Spirit, we have the fullness of Christ, and we have faith. So what is stopping us from being that manner of man?

Perhaps it is because worldly men find it easier and more comforting to worship man than God.

Hero worship rather than worshipping God.

Mind your manners takes on a whole new meaning when coming into the presence of the one true God.