![]() ![]() So, if they were afraid of what was happening, it must have been one incredible storm. They had most likely experienced storms before, and had come through them successfully. At least four of the disciples are experienced fishermen. Jesus was always right there.Īre the disciples wrong to be fearful? NO! Their fear is normal and it’s to be expected. We are those disciples in the boat out on the Sea of Galilee. The reality is that this situation is a mirror into which we can look and see ourselves reflected. In a moment of crisis, their faith fails a gap is created between them and Jesus-and Satan steps in to fill the gap. Those words of the disciples reflect just how far the disciples really are from understanding who Jesus is. How many times have you heard someone say, “I’ve always been a good Christian-why is God letting this happen to me? Where’s God when I need God?” Or maybe you’ve heard someone say, “How can God let such terrible things happen in the world?”īut you see that’s just what Satan wants. You’ve heard similar accusation in the voices of others. “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?” (Mark 4:38). And what’s Jesus doing? He’s SLEEPING! Doesn’t he care?! Just when they need him the most, Jesus is basically not around! You can hear the accusations in their voices: Here are Jesus’ disciples they’re doing exactly what Jesus has asked them to do, and now they’re in mortal danger. Now, this fact alone can lead us down an interesting path. And yet, somehow Jesus manages to sleep through this pounding storm. Mark says that waves were beating into the boat and the boat was in danger of being swamped. So, imagine being in a small boat out on the lake, when one of those storms hits suddenly. It’s not unusual for 30-foot waves to be generated on the Sea of Galilee. Winds rushing down the sides of the mountains hit the cooler waters of the lake and pick up tremendous energy. The surrounding mountains serve as a funnel for storms. ![]() What makes storms on this lake so dangerous is the terrain surrounding the lake. Now, we all know that the Sea of Galilee is actually a lake, but it’s not a small lake nor is it the size of one of our Great Lakes but it’s still a fairly large lake. In today’s lesson, Mark tells us that Jesus has the disciples take him in their boat and set out for the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They don’t recognize what’s going on around them. And Jesus continually expresses his frustration with them-frustration because they just don’t get it. They just keep on missing the point throughout the whole Gospel. They have moments of partial understanding, but they really just don’t get the whole picture. ![]() ![]() It’s a theme called the “Messianic Secret.” As I’ve mentioned before, Mark presents his Gospel in an interesting way-we, the readers, know what’s going on we know the end of the story we know who Jesus is but the disciples do not. When we first started this year and this emphasis on Mark’s Gospel, I told you that this particular Gospel had a theme that ran throughout. What scares you? I mean-what really, really frightens you? Can you remember a time in your life-some moment-when you were more frightened than you’ve ever been at any other time in your life? What was it that caused that fear? How did you feel? More importantly how did you respond?įear is an issue in today’s Gospel lesson from Mark, but it’s not the most important issue. (silent) May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my soul be acceptable in your sight, O Lord. Sermon Mark 4:35-41 He Will Not Let You Perish ![]()
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