Knowing Jesus through the gospel of mark -part5
Mark 4:35-41
By Ysrael De la Cruz
We have been going through the gospel of Mark so we can get to know Jesus better. The gospel writers give us a bigger picture of who Jesus is. You and I need to know Jesus better so we can make him know to those who still have a limited perspective or knowledge of him. Today is our final week of this series (week 5). We have talked about how Mark introduced Jesus as the Son of God. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 1:1
We have seen Jesus’ authority in the very first chapters of Mark.
Authority in his teaching He taught as one with authority and not as the teachers of the law. (Mark 1:22)
Authority over the demonic realm. Demons knew who he is; and they realized his power over them. (Mark 1:23-25)
Authority in healing any disease. (Mark 1:29-34)
Authority to forgive sins. Mark 2:10)
Authority over the Sabbath. (Mark2:28)
You cannot read the gospels and miss Jesus’ power and authority.

In Mark 3:13-20 We are informed how Jesus appointed twelve of his followers and named them apostles so they could be with him. Jesus gave them authority to preach and cast out demons.
In chapter 4 we find Jesus once again teaching beside the sea and a large crowd listening to his teaching. He taught the people in parables and the same day, when evening came, he told his disciples to cross the lake. Mark 4:35-41 Here Jesus would show the disciples something else they did not know about him.
This incident is recorded by Matthew and Luke (Matt.8:23-27 // Luke 8:23-25)

The trip to the other side of the lake became dangerous.(37)
A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat so that the boat was already filling. The boat was being battered by the wind and the waves.
Jesus was sleeping in the stern of the boat on a cushion. (Keep in mind, Jesus spent a whole day teaching, and it was evening; he must have been exhausted that he fell asleep on the journey across the lake)

You know the disciples were terrified for they went and woke up Jesus.
Listen to the disciples’ panic (v.38) “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea “Peace Be still! (v.39)
The wind ceased and the sea was calm.
Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith? (v.40)
When you are afraid, you show no faith and when you have faith fear is gone. Faith and fear cannot coexist, they don’t mix. They are the face of the same coin. When you have faith, fear is gone and when you are afraid, faith is gone.
Jesus challenged his disciples’ faith in the midst of the storm. Why are you so afraid? You still have no faith? (still do not believe?)

The faith of the disciples was based on the knowledge they had about Jesus. Here lies the reason why we must strive to know Jesus better, so our faith in him will increase.
The disciples were filled with awe, fear after they just witnessed what Jesus did.
“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
The disciples just discovered something they did not know about Jesus. He has authority over nature itself. Wind and water he commands them and they obey him. He is Lord of nature
Your faith is based on what you know. Your faith in Jesus is based on how much you know him. They disciples heard Jesus teach and saw how he taught with authority; they saw Jesus heal people and cast out demons. They knew Jesus also had authority to forgive sins authority over the Sabbath day. They were familiar with this, but they did not know that the same Jesus is Lord of creation, he controls the elements of nature. Jewish people believed that only God has the power to control nature. The faith of the disciples will continue to increase, because the more you know Jesus, the stronger your faith will be.

You and I, like the disciples will journey in this life and will face storms, severe storms to test our faith. What storms are you facing today? They are rocking you to the core, but do not panic, because the same Jesus who calmed the storm that day can do the same for you. He is stronger and more powerful than whatever you are facing today. He wants you to trust him even in the storm. Having Jesus in your life will have you face any storm courageously because you know that he is greater than any storm or issues we could face in this life. Who is this? He is Jesus, Lord of all creation. Get to know him so your faith would be rock solid; get to know him so that you live fearless life.