Enter By the Narrow Gate

WOW, count your lucky stars: TWO posts in one day?! I know I know, the world is truly blessed.

John today taught us from Mark 4:35-41. He gave us insight into the situation and really pushed the audience to put themselves in the scene. How would you react in the disciples’ shoes? Were you impressed or not impressed with their actions?

It is indeed a fantastic miracle that we see in Mark’s account. These undoubtedly veteran fishermen of grown age were scared out of their pants. Its described in such a way in Psalm 107:27 — “They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits’ end.” The main point: what a storm!? Actually, a storm so great and made them fear so much for their lives, that they woke a Carpenter to help them out. Help them out He did, “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39 ESV)

At this point, take a step back from the scene. Picture this like a movie and pause the dvd here. What do you think happens next? The disciples were just miraculously saved from imminent death in their eyes by a Carpenter of all people. The dude just woke up from a nap and verbally rebukes the wind. He speaks, the storm listens. Can you say pWnage!? I would be jumpin’ around, high five’n my buddies, chest bump to my neighbor, broad smiles all ’round cause we were still breathing. Is that what we see? Roll the clip……..”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)

Whoa, they were filled with great fear? Why? Christ displays His divine power so openly and powerfully in this situation that it scares them. The disciples are probably looking at Jesus like He isn’t even from this planet. Think Close Encounters of the Third Kind or E.T. on steroids. In a parallel account of the scene we get more insight. “And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?’” (Matthew 8:27 ESV). Criss Angel ain’t got nothing on Jesus.

The cool part is they’re not too far off. Christ was 100% God and 100% man. In this instance we see Him obviously more God than man. In a later blog we’ll discuss the reasons, implications, and necessity of Jesus being God and man at the same time. What do you think about the whole situation? Please leave some comments or discussion about this awesome display of divinity by Jesus.

-Narrow Gate: Transforming students’ lives and fueling True community.