June 11: Enjoying His Peace.
HIS CONTROL.
"Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him."--Mark 4:41
The Sea of Galilee is prone to sudden storms, because it is surrounded by mountains and is approximately 685 feet below sea level. At times, the cool air from the Mediterranean Sea comes down through the mountain passes with fierce force and clashes violently with the hot air of the enclosed lake. I will never forget being on a boat on the same lake where Jesus calmed the storm. We saw fishing nets, we sang together, but most of all I imagined Jesus calming the angry waters while the helpless disciples wondered: "Who is this?"
Having addressed the wind and the water, that were by now completely calm, Jesus addressed the disciples: "Why are you afraid?" (Mark 4:40). Well, isn't it obvious? They were afraid because they thought they were perishing; they couldn't control the storm, no matter how hard they tried. We become afraid for the same reasons: we can't stop the phone calls, the medical results, the bad news. We just can't do it! When Jesus stilled the wind and the sea, the disciples were in awe: "They became very much afraid and said to one another, 'Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?' " (verse 41). Really, Who is this? The question "Who is this?" is repeated many times in the first half of Mark's Gospel. The authoritative Messiah is being revealed. This story is the beginning of a crescendo of the power of Jesus. First, His power over nature; next, His control over evil and demons (5:1-20), and the following two stories display His power over disease and death (verses 21-43). But the most striking realization in this Gospel is that Jesus, the powerful Son of God, who controls the wind and the sea, was to be the Servant, submitting His life as a ransom for many (see Mark 10:45). Jesus, the authoritative Messiah, would become the Suffering Servant, and would lay down His power and conquer evil through suffering. The Gospel of Mark is dedicated to understanding this profound juxtaposition: the authoritative Son of God is also the Suffering Son of Man. Jesus is sovereign, and through the cross He gained the crown. Let's submit ourselves to His control.
My Response:_________________________________________________________
HIS CONTROL.
"Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him."--Mark 4:41
The Sea of Galilee is prone to sudden storms, because it is surrounded by mountains and is approximately 685 feet below sea level. At times, the cool air from the Mediterranean Sea comes down through the mountain passes with fierce force and clashes violently with the hot air of the enclosed lake. I will never forget being on a boat on the same lake where Jesus calmed the storm. We saw fishing nets, we sang together, but most of all I imagined Jesus calming the angry waters while the helpless disciples wondered: "Who is this?"
Having addressed the wind and the water, that were by now completely calm, Jesus addressed the disciples: "Why are you afraid?" (Mark 4:40). Well, isn't it obvious? They were afraid because they thought they were perishing; they couldn't control the storm, no matter how hard they tried. We become afraid for the same reasons: we can't stop the phone calls, the medical results, the bad news. We just can't do it! When Jesus stilled the wind and the sea, the disciples were in awe: "They became very much afraid and said to one another, 'Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?' " (verse 41). Really, Who is this? The question "Who is this?" is repeated many times in the first half of Mark's Gospel. The authoritative Messiah is being revealed. This story is the beginning of a crescendo of the power of Jesus. First, His power over nature; next, His control over evil and demons (5:1-20), and the following two stories display His power over disease and death (verses 21-43). But the most striking realization in this Gospel is that Jesus, the powerful Son of God, who controls the wind and the sea, was to be the Servant, submitting His life as a ransom for many (see Mark 10:45). Jesus, the authoritative Messiah, would become the Suffering Servant, and would lay down His power and conquer evil through suffering. The Gospel of Mark is dedicated to understanding this profound juxtaposition: the authoritative Son of God is also the Suffering Son of Man. Jesus is sovereign, and through the cross He gained the crown. Let's submit ourselves to His control.
My Response:_________________________________________________________
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