Powerpoint Pictures: King Cnut

A long time ago, England was ruled by the Viking king, Cnut the Great.  King Cnut was surrounded by people who were always telling him how wonderful he was:

“O king, there is no-one as mighty as you!”

“Your highness, there is nothing you cannot do!”

But King Cnut was a wise king, he knew that this was not true.

One day as he was walking along the beach with his attendants praising him, he said to them, “You say all things obey me”, “Yes” they replied.  “If that’s the case, bring me my chair and put it at the water’s edge,” he said.  “I notice the tide is coming in – do you think it will stop if I give the order?”

Cnut sat down.  He said to the sea: “Stop! Come no further! Go back!”

What do you think happened?  Nothing.  The sea didn’t stop and Cnut got his feet wet.  But Cnut knew that there was a king who did control the sea.

Jesus and his disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat.  After a long day of teaching, Jesus was tired and asleep.  Suddenly a great storm came upon the sea, with waves tossing the boat all over the place.

The disciples were afraid.  They woke Jesus up.  We’re going to drown.

“Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark 4:39)

Quiet.  Be still.  And the storm was gone.  No wind.  The waves still.

The disciples were afraid.

“Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41)

Here we have yet more evidence as to who Jesus is.  He is God Himself.  That’s why the wind and the waves obey Him!