Word@Work 052 - Mark 4:39-41
Published: Thu, 01/31/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 4:39-41 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" (NIV)
Immediately the disciples failed the faith-test with an overdose of fear, Jesus comes to the rescue. He has no interest in destroying them, and is amazingly compassionate when His people fail: but He does not want to leave them there. Growing in faith is a Gospel essential, and here Jesus was quite stern in rebuke. Sometimes a well aimed question is more effective to stir thinking, than a bald statement of disapproval. Again, Jesus wanted them to learn from their mistake. They needed to learn to trust in Him at all times and every circumstance, otherwise they could not lead His church.
However, the solution to their problem (a flat sea) proved to be another test: another opportunity to believe in Jesus. But as the story goes on, it is clear that the disciples had no idea that Jesus was God. Yet the disciples were more afraid of the power of Jesus (to subdue wind and water) than of sinking! Nevertheless, the whole episode forced them past a concern for their personal safety ... to confront the key question of the Gospel, "Who is this man?" That was the point that Jesus wanted them, and indeed everybody, to reach.
Much time may be wasted with friends and colleagues talking about church or religion, when the only question that needs an answer is, "Who is this man, Jesus". The more we see of His power, the more reason we have to advertise the answer ... that will lead them to salvation.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all the amazing things you have done for me - let me remember with awe and worship, just who you are. Help me not to be satisfied to keep you as my 'secret' friend - my family, friends and colleagues need to know who you are, and I can tell them! In Christ's Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Immediately the disciples failed the faith-test with an overdose of fear, Jesus comes to the rescue. He has no interest in destroying them, and is amazingly compassionate when His people fail: but He does not want to leave them there. Growing in faith is a Gospel essential, and here Jesus was quite stern in rebuke. Sometimes a well aimed question is more effective to stir thinking, than a bald statement of disapproval. Again, Jesus wanted them to learn from their mistake. They needed to learn to trust in Him at all times and every circumstance, otherwise they could not lead His church.
However, the solution to their problem (a flat sea) proved to be another test: another opportunity to believe in Jesus. But as the story goes on, it is clear that the disciples had no idea that Jesus was God. Yet the disciples were more afraid of the power of Jesus (to subdue wind and water) than of sinking! Nevertheless, the whole episode forced them past a concern for their personal safety ... to confront the key question of the Gospel, "Who is this man?" That was the point that Jesus wanted them, and indeed everybody, to reach.
Much time may be wasted with friends and colleagues talking about church or religion, when the only question that needs an answer is, "Who is this man, Jesus". The more we see of His power, the more reason we have to advertise the answer ... that will lead them to salvation.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all the amazing things you have done for me - let me remember with awe and worship, just who you are. Help me not to be satisfied to keep you as my 'secret' friend - my family, friends and colleagues need to know who you are, and I can tell them! In Christ's Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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