Mark Study 4:35-41, 5:1-20

Leaders Notes

Erik, this section of Mark is quite a large section and the themes are all interlocked for several chapters. It runs from chapter 4 verse 35 right through to the end of chapter 10. Not that you are expected to wade through that, just wanted to make you aware of it. The main theme is Jesus’ power and authority over all things physical and spiritual.

Calming the storm

Psalm 107:23-32 provides some important context and background. The story of a group of sailors going to sea on their ships and facing a massive storm. The storm, we are told, is by God’s hand on purpose. It has come about because he commanded it. When the men are facing the storm they cry out to God as their only hope and he out of his love answers thier cries.

“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed” (Ps 107:28-29).

Leadership in Australia

It is hard for us to fully understand monarch rule as we have a democracy, and hoist out our leaders when we see fit (at the end of their term of course). Nor would we really trust a King or Queen becasue we distrust leaders and for good reason if/when they become corrupt or don’t have our best interest at heart. In Israel it was no different they did not trust political leaders as far as they could spit them. However, a lot of stability and propserity could come from a long term rule, especially when that leader is good and uncoruptible. Isn’t it great we have such a King as this. We too must trust that he will lead us through trials, loss and when we don’t understand his decisions or ways. Just like the sailors in the Psalm and the disciples in the boat.

(Mark 4:35–41))

The surface of the Sea of Galilee is seven hundred feet below sea level, making it the lowest freshwater lake on the earth. Because it sits at the bottom of the Jordan River Valley, it is surrounded by steep hills and mountains. Valleys and gorges between those mountains can funnel wind from the west off the Mediterranean Sea or from the east off the desert. These winds can stir up violent storms, and just such a storm arose as Jesus and His disciples were crossing the sea: And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling (v. 37).This storm struck in the evening. That was unusual. The Sea of Galilee was a rich source for fish, and most of the fishing was done at night because the worst winds usually occurred during the day. The fact that this storm arose at night gives us some insight into the exceedingly great fear that the seasoned fishermen among Jesus’ disciples experienced on that occasion. - RC Sproul.

It was not just a storm, it was a mega-storm, an enormous tempest that surpassed the usual maelstroms that came down on the Sea of Galilee. It threatened the lives of the disciples, for it raised waves that both beat on the boat and sloshed over its gunwales, so that it took on large amounts of water. You migh think that Jesus would be sympathetic, but instead he rebukes them, why? If they had undertood who Jesus was they would have not been frightened at all.

Ma 5:1-20

I think this text, which follows right on the heels of the narrative about Christ’s calming of the tempest on the Sea of Galilee, is intended to reveal to us the character of Jesus. John writes, “these [accounts] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31), and that applies to every word in the gospel narratives. Therefore, our study of this passage ought to increase our understanding of the deity, majesty, and power of Christ.

One commentator I read on this passage pointed out that the common theme between Christ’s stilling of the storm on the Sea of Galilee and His redemption of this demon-possessed man is Christ’s power over chaos. The wind and the waves of the sea threatened to destroy Jesus and His disciples, and the demons from hell threatened to destroy the man whose body they were inhabiting. Both of these are examples of chaos, which Christ overcame.

Another commentator lead me to think upon this picture of Christ as the One who brings salvation from chaos is appropriate, for the Bible makes clear that He was the acting agent of creation, bringing order out of the primordial chaos. Genesis tells us, “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep” (1:2). Against this picture of chaos, Genesis tells us, “God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light” (1:3)

These are just a guide mate, no need to go through it all. The questions will spark enough thought. And of course sticking to the context reading that we have been practicing will lead to these themes and ideas above.