The Power of Jesus

During the month of April, we are refocusing on the identity and purpose of Jesus Christ. This past Sunday, we issued a challenge for everyone to read the Gospel of Mark in the weeks leading up to Easter. For those who have already accepted that challenge, I am sure you have already grown in your appreciation of Jesus through those Bible readings. If you have not yet heard or accepted this challenge, then we want to invite you to join others in this exciting reading of the historical record of the life of Christ. Author Timothy Keller makes the following comments regarding this particular book of the Bible: “Each part of the story Mark reveals a little more of who Jesus is – his power, his purpose, and his self-understanding. Mark is revealing Jesus gradually, like an expert storyteller” (Keller; King’s Cross; 2011).

In the fourth chapter of Mark’s Gospel, we observe Jesus and his closest friends crossing the Sea of Galilee by boat. During their crossing of the lake, Jesus takes a nap in the boat. While he is sleeping a “fierce storm” develops and begins to fill the boat with water. Jesus’ followers who consisted of some experienced fisherman were extremely frightened by the severity of the storm. Jesus on the other hand is peacefully sleeping and in that context Mark records the following:
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” (Mark 4:39-41 NLT)

Are you impressed with Jesus power? Are you facing a particular storm in life that has led to your heart being fearful? Is Jesus calling you along with his first followers to examine your faith? I love the following commentary of Timothy Keller on this Bible passage: “Jesus is prompting them to see that the critical factor in their faith is not its strength, but its object” (Keller; King’s Cross, 2011).

Do you have your faith focused on the power, purpose and promises of Jesus Christ?