And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:41 (ESV)
Pretend you were one of the 12; that he chose you and you followed him around as he first began proclaiming the gospel of God.
Put yourself on the scene as he commands, with authority, a demon to be silent. Then the demon leaves. Picture the convulsion and the loud noises that accompanied the feat. Now picture Jesus, seemingly unmoved by what happened. No loss of composure, no fear. He is all too familiar with these beings (the fiends that from creation past have attempted to frustrate the plans of the Creator). When confronted by his Lord, the demon properly calls Jesus “the Holy One of God.” Imagine that. (1:23-27)
Now think back to your last encounter with the flu. Consider the loss of interest you had in your activities, the time you spent in bed, the agony of hanging over a toilet bowl puking out the wee breakfast you forced yourself to eat that morning. Imagine Jesus lifting up someone like this by the hand, and moments later that person bustling around the kitchen, anxiously preparing their favorite dish for the guests they’re about to excitedly entertain. (Mark 1:30-31)
Now think of leprosy, that disease that corrodes human flesh and disfigures body parts almost to the point of nonrecognition. Consider how people would turn in the other direction when they notice a leper in their walking path. Remember the last time someone embraced you affectionately…now imagine never being able to receive that again! Then comes Jesus, and he touches the disease-carrying man. “I will; be clean” says the Rabbi as the blemishes leave. (1:40-42)
Furthermore, imagine Jesus telling a cripple that his sins are forgiven, and then sending him on his way; bones healed, muscles fixed. The man picks up his stretcher and walks home (2:1-12). Also, a man with a withered hand gets a fresh one (3:1-6). And you’re there seeing stuff like this. Remember, you’re one of the 12. Such amazing demonstrations of power. These are no magic tricks or illusions. They are acts of restoration and healing, authority and dominion. Evil submits to good, disharmony to peace, sickness to life. All because of a man! (the one who called you to follow him)
Now picture yourself floating on the Sea of Galilee; Jesus & company in a fishing boat (4:35-41). The storm catches you by surprise and you become frantic. This lake is almost 700 feet below sea level which means especially violent storms caused by “downdrafts” can be unexpected & scary to say the least. Water actually starts filling your boat, and you begin to think that you will perish. Ironically, you notice Jesus seems to be having the best of sleep under these most unaccommodating circumstances. And you continue to think you’ll perish. In your ignorance, you actually awake your Lord from his slumber. Moments later he says…
…”Have you still no faith?”
He’s demonstrated his authority over demons & sickness. He even forgave someone’s sins! He’s supernatural and he’s from God. And you still don’t understand that Jesus is all-powerful.
On many occasions the Gospels have us wondering about the disciples. Many times we’re left wondering how they could possibly have such little faith, understanding etc. Especially in a case like this. But you know what? Don’t try to think you may have done better! That’s not the point of the story! So many times we read scripture and we see in it what we want to see in it. The point is not that the disciples failed, it’s that Jesus succeeded! The purpose of the narrative, like the Gospel accounts & the entirety scripture is to point us to a person. It is to create in us an attitude of worship.
Imagine you were there in the boat. The crashing waves are suddenly still. The boat is no longer swaying. Maybe your feet are still standing in the sea water that infiltrated your vessel; a dramatic element left to help make the impression. Your feet are immersed, your clothes are soaked, your nostrils smell the scent of sea. In front of you stands a man, who with a few words caused all to be still. Imagine the feeling when you finally realize, that Jesus is in fact Lord over nature too! Unabashedly, you too, would probably turn to your peer and ask, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
“Who is this King of Glory?” the answer came back, “The LORD strong and mighty”
Psalm 24:8
