Strength in Character

The word “strength” evokes images of robustness, emphasizing physical attributes, but I’d like to focus on how “strength” is defined in terms of endurance and power in other situations.

Jesus Calms the Storm

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’

They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’” Mark 4:35-41 NIV

Jesus demonstrated His power not only in His words, but in His actions. Many examples are found in the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We can read about Jesus’ teachings, His healings, and many other miracles.

Jesus’ strength was shown in how He dealt with the scribes and Pharisees, in cleansing the temple, and in paying the ultimate price of dying for you and me. He loved His Father and us so much that He submitted everything so that we might live with Him in eternity.