Open your bibles to Mark 4. Let's journey with Jesus.
Jesus Calms the Storm
35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
What an amazing story. Can you put yourself there at that moment? Can you imagine the excitement? Here's just a couple of things we picked up yesterday during our time in the Word at Christ Memorial:
1) Jesus is taking the disciples across the Sea of Galilee into new territory, Gentile territory. Up until this point He was in territory that, at the very least, was familiar with "church ways." And, notice the enemy's response. Read a little into chapter 5. Taking any new territory with Jesus? Be alert. The enemy is stirring.
2) Storms happen. Great, unexpected storms arise, threatening to overwhelm us.
3) Jesus sleeps. Who could sleep through a storm like that? Fully trusting His Father, having no fear, He sleeps. Compare this to the disciples' reaction!
4) Why turn to Jesus for help? (vs. 38) Astounding, really. Lenski in his commentary, reminds us: "They were expert sailors & knew all about handling a boat in the fiercest storms. They were used to squalls coming up quickly on this lake. Elevated hills on both sides of the lake. Strong winds like a wind tunnel down the valley. Jesus was a carpenter from Nazareth. These disciples were completely at the end of all of their resources in which they had always taken pride. Now they throw themselves upon Jesus as their last hope."
5) Jesus words were enough. (vs. 39) The storm that was described as a "mega storm" (literally in the greek) is now stilled, and Mark describes it as a "mega calm". Mega is replaced by mega. All with a word. Same words used in Mark 1:25
6) The storm reveals the true depth of the disciples' faith. (vs. 40) I love what Lenski says in his commentary: "Jesus was not rebuking them for lack of faith because He was in the boat with them! They had no right to be afraid even if Jesus had not been in the boat. As followers of Jesus they were ever in the Father’s care, and that is so whether Jesus was physically present with them or not. (Matt. 28:20) In fact, there was no reason to fear even if they died in the storm."
7) Who is this man? Check out Mark 5:7 for the answer, and notice who gives the answer. If, even the demons know who this Jesus is, how do we so easily forget?
We received a couple of questions to ponder in response to all of this. Maybe you can process them with us.
Any storms raging with unnatural strength in your life? How will you respond? “Silence, be still!”
What new territory is God leading you into….”let’s cross to the other side of the lake!” (vs. 35)? In the name of Jesus, with Jesus, practice intentional courage. Put your full confidence in Him. Do not be afraid.
1 comments:
I find it interesting that before Jesus begins to teach we hear about His mother & brothers coming for Him. His family thought He was out of His mind. Mary the one who was pregnant w/Jesus...the one who sings the song, "My soul glorifies the Lord". Her fear to provide for and protect her son.
Even the teachers of the law, probablly well meaning, wanting to protect, deep reverance for God, are being used to divide and devour the claim of Jesus.
This spiritual battle is so real. Will my child live or die? Can I pay the rent? Will this person take their own life? If I get involved what will others think, will I catch something, will those who counsel me think I am strange?
I still remember my spiritual mentor and her claim. My mother had no place to live, no money, an addict, newly baptized I couldn't trust her in my home at the time. After my mentor spoke to my mother she called me.What are you going to do? Newly pregnant w/Jesus myself...I said,"I don't know, we'll just need to trust in the Lord." That's when this good woman said,"Your mother just told me the same thing, your both fools."
Intentional courage...is it lack of fear? My mentor was right in fearing, she wanted to help. Her view of life and death were different. She even told me when I become more mature, I will not be so zealous, I will learn. I must confess this idea of maturity is an idea in the church that I fear. This fear is one of His awesomeness that I would ever forget how real He is.
What I learned was that I am proud to be a fool like my mother. We are one in Christ. As we grow it is not death we fear, sometimes we almost welcome it, a longing to finally see Him face to face,
what we fear is truley living.
I could be wrong but I'm starting to believe that it is a healthy fear. Without it we can become over confident. Would the god of this age have crucified our Lord knowing it would give us victory?
The peace becomes stronger through the storms, but it's the storms that reveal my own humanity, vulnerablity, and test my sufficiency/confidence in Jesus. It's confessing those fears w/others, open and transparent, that increases my confidence in Christ. Before I find peace I also find I must call that demon by name. I praise Him now, for the things we go through, even the economy and the struggles we see. Simply because the less we have to hold on to here, the more we hold on to Him.
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