Let's Go to the Other Side

Mark 4:35–41 NIV

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 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!”

Intro-background

Let’s Go to the Other Side

He keeps it very simple. Here is the goal. Let’s go.

Jesus did not say: let’s go for a nice gentle evening ride on the lake...

What we crave are quiet little walks with Jesus. And he walks with me and he talks with me and tells me I am his own… But often life is moving pretty fast and we hit turbulence.

Jesus knows that whatever comes he can help us and he can bond with us and he can teach us...

Jesus took a Nap

Just right there. He was tired. He was preparing for what comes next. He could have been franting but instead he was setting an example. The non-anxious presence of a leader. All right let’s go. I’m gonna take a nap. It’s a sign of trust that the world won’t fall apart if I’m not staring at the trouble wringing my hands. It’s also a sign that he’s preparing for what’s next.

Storms Come but Jesus isn’t Worried

God is never surprised by the events of our lives. Jesus is not the direct author of challenges, either. But Jesus always knows how to respond.

Traveling Through the Storm

The storm doesn’t define our lives, unless we let it. We are followers of Jesus. We are beloved children of God. We are part of the family of God. We are on a journey.

Sometimes we are waiting for marching orders. There are times of waiting for more clear direction in the life of a church. But once God makes it clear we keep our focus on the last thing God said for sure.

Who Is This?

Jesus is always more than we realize. Jesus is more powerful. Jesus is more loving. Jesus is more trustworthy. Jesus has more tolerance for danger than we do sometimes.

On the Other Side There’s Ministry to be Done

We aren’t just on a site-seeing tour in this life. We are on a good news tour with Jesus. He has inaugurated a Kingdom. He is making all things new. That means transforming lives that seem to be a mess. That means giving purpose to transformed lives. That purpose is ministry to others. But in the midst of it all keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the one who can transform. We can love others. We can take risks. But it’s Jesus who changes lives. It’s not up to us. We make ourselves available when Jesus calls. We stay close to him when the storms come and he keeps us moving forward. Not everyone will take us up on the full offer. We may have to shake the dust off our sandals with some people. But we keep doing what Jesus asks us to do and we leave the rest to Him.