Who is He?

Mark 4:35-41
Length: 18:25

This is a message given on June 21, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.

Who is He?

This is a powerful piece of scripture and many of us simply brush it off as just another story about the life of Christ. This is the first time in the Gospel’s that we read about Jesus having control over nature and the disciples got to see this control, this power in action.

To them and no doubt others, it brought fear and astonishment. This is more than just a story of a historic event in Christ’s life. It was here that Jesus demonstrated the power of God and shows His saving capability.

Let’s look at what is going on.

Jesus has just finished preaching to the crowd and was trying to leave. Jesus and His disciples were on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee and wanted to get away from the crowd, so they quickly hopped on their boat to get to the other side of the Sea, which didn’t have large cities, so they figured it would be a quiet place to rest.

But they aren’t quite quick enough. The crowds saw what Jesus and His disciples were doing, so they too hopped in their boats and started to follow. This was a mistake, as they will figure out in a few minutes.

A violent storm was brewing. We would equate it to a hurricane here in the United States. So, either the boats would be forced to head back to shore or they would sink to the bottom of the Sea. The storm comes up suddenly and without warning.

Meanwhile, Jesus fell asleep on a cushion in the boat. It is interesting to note that this is the only place in scripture where we read of Jesus sleeping. He was so exhausted from a full day of preaching and healing that even the roaring wind and the crashing waves of the storm didn’t wake him.

This is a wonderful picture of his humanity. The boat was literally filling with water and Jesus is sound asleep.

The disciples decide to wake Jesus saying “Master, Master we’re going to drown.” They are not only surprised He is able to sleep through this, but no doubt frightened for their lives and probably a little upset that he isn’t helping to bucket the water out of the boat.

See, they weren’t thinking along the lines of a miracle from Jesus, they just wanted another hand on the deck.

Jesus gets up and rebukes the wind and hushes the sea to be still. Usually, storms gradually subside, but in this case the elements immediately obey Jesus’ command. Jesus is creator and sustainer of the universe and it obeys Him.
Jesus then rebukes the disciple’s lack of faith. Jesus has repeatedly demonstrated His power over disease, demons, and death to the disciples and they still didn’t get it. Now he shows them that he is even master of the elements.

The disciples became afraid. Nature had obeyed the commands of this man. They were afraid because they had the power of God and not only that, but God Himself in their boat.

They questioned among themselves, Who is this man?
That is also the question for us this morning. Who is this man?

Most people don’t blink an eye when a reference to God is made. But if you bring up the name of Jesus, people act differently. When asked who Jesus is, some people would say that He was a great teacher. Some might say He was a powerful prophet.

Christians should respond like Peter, He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Many here in the United States claim that Jesus is Lord, unfortunately they don’t live their lives in obedience to Him.

But Who is this man that controls the sea? Is He the Creator or simply a con man? John 1 tells us that by Him all things were created. Jesus is the source of all things, everything we see, everything we touch, everything we hear.

He is eternal. He was there at the beginning creating it all and He will be there at the end of this world as we know it. These are not small claims. You cannot reject Jesus’ divinity and still accept His teaching.

The people saw the power of God on display many times through physical healings, through exorcisms of demons, by raising the dead and calming the storms. Yet, some still did not believe and thought of Him as a dangerous blasphemer.

The Pharisees oppose him and the crowds are amazed by Him. Even the disciples don’t know all that is in store for them in their future adventures with Christ and for Christ. But His deeds reveal the truth. Jesus is God in human form.

The Bible leaves little choice. You either accept Christ for who He is or you reject Him. He is Creator of all or He isn’t. He is Sustainer of all or He isn’t. He is Savior or not. You cannot take portions of Him or His message. You must live by it all.

As I mentioned last week, that is part of our Christian and Methodist heritage. For those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior know who He is. But we cannot be neutral about what He says. You must listen and respond in obedience.

That is the question for you to answer. Who is this man, to you?

The disciples were afraid out there on that boat after the seas were calmed, because they knew. They saw His power. Sure, they were still growing in their spiritual knowledge of Christ and they still had a lot to learn, but they realized this was God in human form.

There is still a lot for us to learn today too. The calming of the seas opened the eyes and minds of the disciples to the majesty and power of Jesus. Ask Him to do the same for you. Ask Him to open your eyes and minds to see who He really is. Ask Him in to your life as Lord and Savior. Ask Him to help you obey His commands and to serve Him faithfully.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank you for our time this morning in Your word. Help us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ is the living God, the only one that can redeem us.

Help us grasp the truth of your Word that our Savior is God, the Creator and the Controller. He is the compassionate, loving deliverer and rescuer and Savior of His people for whom He cares. Teach us those lessons you would have us learn. And may we teach them to others. In Christ's name, Amen.