Jesus demonstrated His power over nature through miracles that showed His control over storms, water, wind, and fish.
In the Gospels, Jesus calmed a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, walked on the sea, and directed fishermen to a miraculous catch. He also used a fish to provide tax money, showing His authority over the animal kingdom. These acts proved to His disciples that He was the powerful Creator God.
Matthew 8:26 — Jesus rebuked the wind and sea, and they obeyed Him, directly demonstrating His power over nature.
In the Gospel accounts, Jesus demonstrated His power over nature through several miracles. When a great storm arose on the Sea of Galilee, His disciples woke Him, saying, "Lord, save us: we perish." Jesus then arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. The men marvelled, saying, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" (Matthew 8:25-27). He also walked on the sea to His disciples in the midst of a storm, telling them, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid" (Matthew 14:25-27). Later, after His resurrection, He directed His disciples to cast their net on the right side of the ship, and they caught a multitude of fish (John 21:6).
Les Feldick emphasizes that Jesus' miracles were signs to Israel, proving He was who He said He was. He points out that in calming the storm, Jesus showed His control over wind and sea, and even though the disciples feared, the boat would not have sunk because Jesus was in it. Similarly, walking on the sea and the miraculous catch of fish revealed His divine power and knowledge over all creation. Les also highlights the incident with the fish that carried tax money, demonstrating that Jesus has control even over the animal kingdom. These miracles, recorded in John's Gospel, were signs that pointed to His identity as the Creator God.
In the account of the storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was asleep below deck while the disciples feared for their lives. When they woke Him, He calmed the wind and the sea. Les Feldick explains that the boat would never have sunk because Jesus was in it, just as the ark was preserved because the Lord was within it. This miracle demonstrated Jesus' authority over the forces of nature.
Jesus walked on the sea to His disciples while they were rowing against a great wind. He told them, "It is I; be not afraid." Les Feldick notes that this miracle, along with the stilling of the storm, indicated that He was the powerful Creator God over everything.
After a night of catching nothing, Jesus directed His disciples to cast the net on the right side of the ship, resulting in a multitude of fish. John recognized it was the Lord because no one else could know where the fish were. This showed Jesus' power and knowledge over the sea and its creatures.
When Peter needed to pay taxes, Jesus told him to go to the seashore and find a fish with money in its mouth. This illustrated that Jesus has control even over the fish of the sea, demonstrating His sovereignty over the animal kingdom.
Jesus' Identity as Savior
Les Feldick connects Jesus' miraculous power to His identity as the promised Savior, born of the seed of David.
Walking on the Sea
Les Feldick explains that Jesus walking on the sea was a sign proving He was the Creator God, as He calmed the disciples' fears.
Control Over Fish and Tax Money
Les Feldick highlights that Jesus directing Peter to find tax money in a fish's mouth demonstrates His control over the animal kingdom.
Miracles as Signs to Israel
Les Feldick emphasizes that Jesus' miracles were signs to prove to the Jews that He was the Messiah.
Stilling the Storm
Les Feldick teaches that the calming of the storm showed Jesus' divine power, and that the boat was safe because He was present.
Jesus Sleeps in the Storm
Les Feldick explains that the boat on the Sea of Galilee would never have sunk because Jesus was in it, paralleling the ark's preservation.
Miraculous Catch of Fish
Les Feldick shows that Jesus' directing the disciples to cast the net on the right side revealed His knowledge and power over the sea.
Miracles Show Creator Power
Les Feldick interprets the miracles of walking on the sea and stilling the storm as indications that Jesus was the powerful Creator over all.
Matthew 8:25-27: And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
This passage shows Jesus' direct authority over the natural elements.
John 6:19-20: So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
Jesus walking on the sea demonstrates His power over the water.
John 21:6: And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fish.
Jesus' knowledge of where the fish were shows His power over the sea.
Matthew 17:27: Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
This miracle reveals Jesus' control over the animal kingdom.
No. Even in the storm, Jesus was in control. Les Feldick points out that the boat would not have sunk because Jesus was present. He calmed the wind and the sea, proving His authority.
It taught them that Jesus was the Creator God, powerful over the sea. Les Feldick explains that this miracle, like the stilling of the storm, showed His divine power.
It shows Jesus' control over the animal kingdom. By directing Peter to the fish, He demonstrated that even the fish obey His word.
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