By Staff
A look at the world today with all its complexities and unpredictability causes stress and concern. Who can you go to? Who is really in charge? Who will win out in the battle of ideas, philosophies, and ideologies? The biggest question of all is, "Who will take care of me?"
The first thought is a grand benevolent king whose word is law, whose treasury is full of gold to be quickly dispensed, who has a big smile, and is a champion of all the downtrodden, oppressed, and fearful. We would all say, "Long live the king!" if such were true. We all know such a circumstance is too much like a fairy tale.
But wait! There is One who is not only King, but King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is Jesus Christ the Son of God. The next question is, "Well, where is He and what is He doing?"
Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). To know what He can and will do, we only need to look at what He has already done while He lived and walked as a man on the earth (John 1:14).
The New Testament book of Matthew, chapter eight, gives an account of a few days in the life of Jesus Christ that should set our minds at ease about any questions we have.
In Matthew, chapter 8, verses 1-3, Jesus is encountered by a man with leprosy. It is interesting that the account would begin with the dreaded, incurable disease of leprosy. Leprosy was no challenge for Jesus. He touched the man and said, "Be cleansed!" (Matthew 8:3). The leper was immediately healed.
The next event recorded is about a Roman centurion. Rome was the most powerful government in the world. They dominated everything. They even had an outpost in the remote area of Galilee where Jesus was living. The centurion had a servant who was dying. The centurion represented all the power on earth at that time, but we see this centurion pleading with Jesus (Matthew 8:5-6). It is most refreshing that the powerful know where the real power is.
Another event that should encourage us is how Jesus dealt with the weather. In Matthew, chapter 8, verses 23-27, Jesus and His men went on a boat trip. Jesus took this opportunity to take a nap (Matthew 8:24). A huge windstorm came up and was about to sink the boat. They woke Jesus up and He spoke to the wind and the sea (Matthew 8:26), and there came a great calm. Think about controlling the winds of hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires, and thunderstorms. It took one word from Jesus to put everything to rest. Even the mighty king in our fairy tale could not handle the wind!
The next event is in Matthew, chapter 8, verses 28-34. Jesus encountered two men who were demon possessed. They were fierce. These two guys had the entire countryside afraid of them, and nobody would even get close to them. They approached Jesus and Jesus didn't flinch; rather, He commanded the demons to leave. The demons obeyed and the men were set free in their hearts and lives.
That covers our greatest fears: incurable diseases, oppressive government, weather, evil demons, etc. All these things are under the control of Jesus Christ. There is something else that stirs our heart even more. The protection is good, but what about fulfillment in life?
Jesus Christ gathered some men to work with Him. He went to the seaside and encountered some busy fishermen (Matthew 4:18-22). He summoned these men with the simple call, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). These men immediately dropped what they were doing and joined Jesus and lived and worked with Him. Their lives were filled with mission and purpose.
Jesus Christ is in control! Nothing can happen to us that does not pass by Him first. He has proven His ability and power. Jesus says in Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." There is rest from fear, doubt, stress, etc.
What an offer! You have to wonder why anybody would turn it down, but there are some who seem content to go on in their own strength and try to tough it out on their own.
The big question then is, "Who is in control?" We can hang on to it ourselves or give it to Jesus. He is well able to care for everything about us.
Jesus is in control. He's better than any king in any fairy tale.