Do You Really Know Jesus?
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· 334 viewsTrue disciples know the true idenity of Jesus and will be changed by Him.
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Introduction:
We return to the Gospel of Mark this morning and we will be in . I have titled my message “Do you really know Jesus?”
Back in college, I took Psychology class where they made us watch a video on selective attention. In the video 6 students are passing a ball around. 3 students are in white shirts and three students are in black shirts. You are asked to count how many times the ball is tossed around with the students in the white shirts.
At some point, a gorilla walks into the center thumping his chest of the 6 students passing the ball around, and the many students fail to realize the obvious.
Well when it comes to the Bible, we often miss the obvious because we too often focus on ourselves. Even in our Bible reading, we are asking what is God saying to me? Or how does it apply to me? And every time we encounter the Bible, we should be looking for applications.
But sometimes, the applications is not what does this say about me, but what does this say about God. Sometimes the application is look! Behold! Look at the obvious! And what Mark wants his readers to understand is who is Jesus Christ! The stories we find in his gospel tells us to look at what He does and see who He is!
But even disciples can be selective in their perceptions and fail to miss what is right in front of them. And that is true of us in the church where we can be so familiar with the stories of the Bible that they no longer grip us or amaze us. Too often we think the story is about us rather than about God.
Did you know it is possible to be in the presence of someone and not really know them? Just think about people you see in church. You may “know” people who come and sit here every Sunday, and some even attend church for years, and you don’t know who they are.
What do Filipinos do when you don’t know the name of someone? Hi, Kuya. Hi, Tita, or Tito.
You may run into these people in the grocery store or while you are out and you still don’t know the people who attend the same church as you do even though they have been attending years.
And in the same way, the Bible presents knowing in different ways. The word “know” can mean a superficial knowledge like how the demons “know” God, but are damned to Hell.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
And the Bible also uses the word “know” in an intimate way just like how Adam “knew” his wife Eve and they conceived a child.
There are two different ways to know someone. One way is to know someone on a superficial level and another way is to know someone in an intimate and personal level.
Throughout Mark’s gospel you see crowds and religious people knowing Jesus on a superficial level, while the disciples knew him personally. But even for the disciples, sometimes they too did not get it.
True Christians are those who know Jesus intimately and personally. True believers realize who Jesus really is and are changed by his glory.
Recap
And just to remind you where we have been in Mark. Mark is trying to communicate to his readers the true identity of Jesus Christ. Who is Jesus? And Jesus’ popularity was known all throughout Galilee and Jersualem.
Crowds flocked to Jesus. But many in the crowds only knew Jesus in a superficial way. Jesus jsut
And we in church can be so familiar with Jesus that we think we know Jesus when our knowledge is not a personal knowledge of Jesus, but only a superficial and inaccurate view of who he actually is. Even Christians fail to get it sometimes, including myself.
And in today’s passage, we get another glimpse of who Jesus actually is, so that we may know him better as we see who He actually is through his works. Mark again and again is asking the same question that the disciples asked after he was with them displaying miraculous powers:
mark 4:4
Mark
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?”
Who is Jesus?
We will see that Jesus is the God-man who has sovereign authority over nature and diseases in . And we will see that Jesus is
The Perfect Man (vv. 45-46)
The Sovereign God (vv. 47-52)
The Compassionate Healer (vv. 53-56)
Scripture Reading:
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
May God bless the reading of His Holy, Inspired, Unchanging, and True Word. Amen.
Who is Jesus?
I. Jesus is the Perfect Man (vv. 45-46)
I. Jesus is the Perfect Man (vv. 45-46)
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.
Mark 4:
Context
Jesus just fed 5,000 people, and if you include women and children in the account, that must have been at least 15,000-2000 people by multiplying just five loaves and two fish.
It was evening time and the people needed to go home before it got to late.
The text says immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.
The word that is used is that he “forced” or “urged” his disciples to depart. Jesus would remain on the land and he himself would dismiss the crowds.
Why was there so urgency to leave the region?
When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
The Galilean political climate was tense at the time. The Jews were waiting for a Messiah to overthrow Rome. It was time “to Make Jerusalem Great again!” Jesus was the man to do it. There were all these expectations of Jesus.
Jesus knew this and therefore he did not want his disciples to get caught into people’s expectations of him. So he forces his disciple to leave, the crowds to leave, and he goes away to be alone with his father to pray.
The Gospel of Mark 5. The Lord of the Sea. Ch. 6:45–52
As at the beginning of his ministry (Ch. 1:12 f.), Jesus’ presence in the wilderness provoked the renewal of temptation: refusing the acclaim of the multitude he gave himself to a long period of solitude in order to affirm his obedience to the Father.
Jesus does not live according to people’s expectations of him, but what God expects of him.
That is a good way to live. So many times in our lives we have lived and made decisions on what others think rather than what God thinks.
Maybe we decided to be silent about Jesus at school because our friends thought we were too religious. Maybe we choose a particular school or career path because this is what would please mom and dad. Maybe we were willing to step on someone else at work so that our employer would notice and give us the promotion.
And that is a terrible way to live. It will leave you depressed when you fail to live up to other people’s expectations or you may comprimise your beliefs to please others.
We have been watching Avengers again. I really enjoy that movie. There is a scene where Thor, who is now fat, travels back in time to Asgard to try to recover one of the infinity stones. Thor is hopeless and depressed. They really remake Thor from a good looking god of lightning to a couch potato who plays fortnight, eats pizza, and drinks beer.
As he travels back in time, he meets his mother who was actually dead in the future. And his mother counsels him through the depression. He is confessing his pain and hurt. Thor has lost his father, his mother, his brother, his sister, half of his people and his home has been destroyed. And she says to him,
“Everyone fails at who they are supposed to be Thor. The measure of a person or a hero is how well they succeed at being who they are.”
And Thor regains his courage again and waits to get his hammer and says “I am worthy!”
Don’t try to live up to other’s expectations of you. Be who you are. And live according to what God expects of you.
That’s how Jesus lived. He didn’t care about popularity or vain glory but He cared about his Father’s plan regardless of whether or not he would be popular and his main concern was glorifying God. He came to please God.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
If you live for the praise of men, you will not get the praise of God. But if you live for the praise of God, you will be controlled by the praise of men.
If
To be truly and fully human is to live a life that God has designed, not what others or you think is right.
Non-Christian—Maybe you are not a follower of Jesus. But you have lived for the expectations of others and that has left you discouraged because you have failed to live up. But Jesus knows how we are to live. And his plan for your life is way better than what you or I can ever come up with. Jesus releases from the approval of men, so that we can seek the approval of God. If you come to him humbly in and faith, he will remake His image in You so that you can live according to God’s design.
2. Jesus knows importance and necessity of retreat for the purpose of fellowship with God.
It was a long day. And there were many mouths to feed. So he sends his disciples away not only to be enamored by the expectations of the crowds, but to be in God’s presence.
Jesus withdrew to pray. 3x in Mark’s Gospel do we see Jesus withdrawing to pray. We saw this in , here in 6:46, and in in the Garden of Gethsamane before he goes to the cross.
Jesus teaches us another important lesson here: we should prioritize prayer and our communion with God.
We don’t know what he prayed, but maybe he prayed he would not enter into temptation. Maybe he prayed that he would stay on course. Maybe he prayed for his disciples to finally get who He was.
Jesus often prayed before busy or difficulties in the ministry.
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Christian—Do you live for the approval of others, or the approval of God? And do you know when to retreat to be with the Lord? Many of you will choose activity or Bible reading. Or choose serving over prayer. But like Martha being discouraged because Mary was listening and worshipping at the Lord’s feet, you will burn out or be discouraged if your soul is not resting and happy in the Lord.
Do you have set prayer times? Morning? During lunch break? Evening times? Jesus prayed early morning and even late in the evening. We would do well to follow his example. Do you know how to be still before the Lord and present your requests before HIm?
Non-Christian—Maybe you are not a follower of Jesus. But you have lived for the expectations of others and that has left you discouraged because you have failed to live up. But Jesus knows how we are to live. And his plan for your life is way better than what you or I can ever come up with. Jesus releases from the approval of men, so that we can seek the approval of God. If you come to him humbly in and faith, he will remake His image in You so that you can live according to God’s design.
Church—Do we make time for prayer? Do we make time for prayer before seasons of great activity? If we are always doing but never learning how to be still in the presence of God, we will either be discouraged or burn out. Join our prayer meeting today. We should make time for private prayer. Prayer in small groups. Prayer as we meet with one another.
Prayer should rejuvenate our souls. Prayer must be prioritized before seaons of business.
Students—As you start school, do you have set times of prayer?
Moms—Before you take care of children and take them to school and sports, do you have time to pray?
Men—Do you make it a priority to pray before you work and take care of the family responsibilities?
Older members—Do you have set times to pray
Jesus was not concerned with the crowds or popularity. He was not looking to make a name for himself even though people wanted him to be king.
He may pray to keep himself from the temptation of becoming king before the appointed suffering.
Jesus was the perfect man because he lived to please his Father. He lived in complete obedience to His Father. And He prioritized the kingdom of God by withdrawal and retreat to be with His Father before great ministry activity. It was because Jesus prayed, he had strength to carry out his Father’s perfect plan.
Transition: Jesus knows the important of rest, retreat, and prayer. He does not live according to people’s expectations of him, but according to what God expects of him as the perfect man. But he also will lead us into difficult times to see whether we trust him. And in difficulty, Jesus will show us more of his greatness.
II. Jesus is the Sovereign God (vv. 47-52)
II. Jesus is the Sovereign God (vv. 47-52)
And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.
The boat may have been several miles out from the land. It was late into the evening and dark.
And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them,
Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament Chapter Six
The verb is basanizō (βασανιζω) “to torture,” used in the passive, “to be harassed, distressed.”
You know how violent the storms could get in Galilee because it was surrounded by mountains. It come go from being completely calm to violent storms and crashing waves quickly.
Jesus alone on the land, saw the disciples at a distant. We don’t know how he saw them, whether the moon was shining down on the sea, or whether he knew supernaturally, he saw his disciples in distress.
The text says the wind was against them.
Panic is starting to sink in.
And it says about the fourth watch of the night he came to them. The Romans divided the night into four watches: 6-9 pm was the first watch, 9-12 was the second watch, 12-3 was the third watch, and 3-6 pm was the fourth watch.
And he came to them, walking on the sea.
This is what I am saying that we can be so familiar with the stories of the Bible, we cease to be amazed by them. That’s cool, Jesus walked on water.
Why do we love superhero movies? They defy the forces of nature and control nature. Yet we are often more fascinated with Thor and Superhero movies than we are the Bible.
He meant to pass them by (v. 48)
This is an interesting phrase that looks confusing at the surface. Does Jesus intent to walk beside the boat? Does he intend to walk pass the disciples on the boat so they can get it?
Well, the phrase “pass them by” actually is phrase used in the OT that is in referenced to God.
Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’
And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
Exodus 33:
Exodus 33:
and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.’ ”
Exodus 34:
And we see this in where Elijah is fleeing from Jezebel. Elijah being discouraged, the Lord speaks to Him.
Exodus 33:
He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
And the clearest OT example is in Job.
who commands the sun, and it does not rise;
who seals up the stars;
who alone stretched out the heavens
and trampled the waves of the sea;
who made the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;
who commands the sun, and it does not rise;
who seals up the stars;
who alone stretched out the heavens
and trampled the waves of the sea;
What Jesus is doing is revealing a glimpse of who He actually is by walking by the sea. He is displaying his deity by trampling on the waves of the sea!
but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out,
And the disciples could not believe their eyes. He was walking on the sea! The word ghost is the word we get phantom from. Phantasma. Apparition.
Some people try to rationalize or explain the text away. Maybe this was an optical illusion or maybe he was standing on a shore that made it look like he was walking on water. Or maybe the water was just very low.
Again, this does not take into account that the disciples were in the middle of the sea. This does not take into account the response of the disciples. They were absolutely terrified.
It is a ghost! The word used here is phantasma. And as soon as they see Jesus they cry out in fear.
for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
That is the proper response. What is happening here. It is late in the evening. Am I really seeing what I am seeing? They were terrified.
Whenever people met God, they were not casual. They were not bored. They were absolutely terrified.
And Jesus tries to calm their fears.
Take Heart
Or take courage (CSB). Be of Good Cheer (KJV). Have courage. If you know your OT, there are echoes of this language all over.
Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
Do not be afraid
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
It is I
This is the cool thing about learning the original langues. The Greek phrase is Ego Eimi. In the Greek language, the verb already has the the person implied. Eimi means I am. Ego means I. So what Jesus is saying is I I AM!
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Jesus is not only the perfect man, but the Sovereign God. He is the God-man inside the boat.
As soon as Jesus gets inside the boat notice what happens next
And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,
Mark 8:1
As soon as Jesus steps into the boat, the wind ceases. And they were utterly exceedingly astounded. They were blown away. They were terrified to see Jesus was more than a man. And even though he calmed the waves and winds, they still did not get who Jesus was. It must have been terrifying to have this supernatural being inside the boat.
For they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
You remember Jesus fed the 5000. Jesus was revealing that He was the true Shepherd of Israel. Just like how Yahweh fed the Israelites in the wilderness with manna, Jesus gave the multitudes the mulitiplied loaves. They should have got it. He was the one who could cast out demons, forgive sins, control nature, multiply bread, and walk on water. Jesus was God!
Christian
Be careful of being to familiar with Jesus, you are no longer amazed at Jesus.
Our views of Jesus can often be skewed. We think of Jesus as a fellow drive who just can take the wheel of our lives. Jesus doesn’t take the wheel, he made the wheel. He never let go of the wheel in the first place.
We have this friendly Jesus who looks a lot more like Jimminey Cricket rather than the sovereign ruler.
2. Be careful of just being amazed at Jesus, but not changed by Jesus
The Crowds were amazed at Jesus. The disciples were amazed and terrified of Jesus. But they still would have hardened hearts where they were not gripped and changed by Jesus.
3. Be careful of having a hardened heart where you fail to recognize Jesus.
Be careful of having a hardened heart. Sin will blind and harden your heart to see the glory of Jesus.
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Pray for eyes to see. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open your eyes to see the glory of Jesus.
4. Jesus is so patient with us as we get to know Him more in the fulness of His glory
He was so patient for his disciples and He is patient with us. Ask the Lord what Paul prayed for:
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians
Christian—If you decide to follow Jesus, he will at times lead you into difficulty just like how he led his disciples.Jesus does not promise us smooth sailing in this life, but we will encounter difficulties. But Jesus will be with you in the difficulty and he will show more of His sufficiency in difficulty.
Christian—
Preaching the Word: Mark—Jesus, Servant and Savior Jesus’ Ministry to the Storm-Tossed Church (vv. 45-48)
If you submit your life to Christ in obedient commitment, you will expose yourself to a variety of sorrows. Your caring, your commitment to Biblical living, will make you vulnerable to things which the uncommitted heart will never experience.
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Pray for eyes to see. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open your eyes to see the glory of Jesus.
Non-christian—Maybe you don’t see Jesus because you are blinded by the god of this world. Ask the Lord to remove your blindness and give you eyes to see. People don’t see God not because there is not enough evidence, they don’t see God because of hardened hearts and blinded eyes. Only the Spirit can help us see the glory of Christ. Only those with ears to hear, and hearts enlightened, and eyes that have been given sight can see the glory of Christ.
Transition: Jesus is not only the perfect man, but he is the perfect God-man who is in control of nature. But not only is He is control of nature, he is the compassionate Savior who heals the sick.
III. Jesus is the Compassionate Healer (vv. 53-56)
III. Jesus is the Compassionate Healer (vv. 53-56)
III. Jesus will take care of our needs
III. Jesus will take care of our needs
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters,
Now they are at the land of Gennesaret. They arrive. And as soon as the they arrive, the crowds come. Jesus was popular in Galilee.
The Message of Mark 4. The Crowds Flock to Jesus (6:53–56)
Gennesaret (53) is probably the fertile plain south of Capernaum. They were aiming for Bethsaida, and are generally viewed as having been blown off course.
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.
Have you heard the news of the crazy chicken sandwich wars? All the young people know what I am talking about. There have been lines and long waits and even fights over popeyes new chicken sandwich.
Because of social media and everyone posting about it, now it makes me want one. I wanted to get one just because everyone was talking about. I never go to Popeyes. Is it really true that popeyes is better than CFA?
Well, people were getting healed in Galilee. And everyone was talking about. And people wanted to see Jesus to see whether that was true. They wanted to see if what people were saying was actually true. Jesus was viral or trending. Could this man really heal? Is this man the real prophet of Israel?
and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was.
And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Jesus was in the villages, cities, and countryside, and busy places. Jesus was extremely popular and crowds flocked to him. The fringe of his garments were tassels that Jews wore to remind themselves of the law of God.
Was it true? Could Jesus heal?
And as many as touched it were made well.
It was true. Jesus could heal.
Does Jesus heal today?
Jesus does heal. But the promise of physical healing is not promised in this life. Jesus was giving people an appetizer of what was to come. He was giving the glimpse of the coming kingdom that He was inaugurating. The healing was to confirm his true identity not only as the perfect man, but the all-powerful and all-sufficient God.
We have a glorious and powerful and compassionate Christ.
Who is Jesus?
Jesus wants to show his disciples a glimpse of his divinity in order to help them unravel the clues to his identity. They do not follow a great prophet or superhero but the very Son of God.
Garland, David E.. Mark (The NIV Application Commentary Book 2) (p. 266). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Summary: Who is Jesus? Do you really know Him?
Do you know Him as the Perfect Man?
Jesus knows that we need to learn to retreat, rest, and pray.
Garland, David E.. Mark (The NIV Application Commentary Book 2) (p. 266). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Do you know Him as the Sovereign God?
Do you know Him as the Great Healer?
Gospel
Jesus is the perfect man because He was the only One who did not live for men’s approval, but for the approval of God His Father. And he was approved by God his Father because in his perfect obedience, he died for sinners as a substitute. He paid the penalty of your sin.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
He rose again. He rose to make all things new. And his death was sufficient to pay for the sin of mankind because he was truly God. Only God could satisfies the demands of a Holy God. And only God could make a way for man to be with God again. Praise the Lord.
And because of what Jesus did, he gives us an appetizer of the future and final healing that will take place when he comes again.
Do you know this Jesus? You can know him today if the Lord opens your eyes and grants you believe the one who walks beside the boat and enters into the boat is the Sovereign God-Man who controls natures and heals our diseases.
Conclusion:
Jesus does not rescue us from the danger, he leads us through the danger to get to the other side.
Jesus knows our need, and will meet us in the hour of need.
Preaching the Word: Mark—Jesus, Servant and Savior Jesus’ Ministry to the Storm-Tossed Church (vv. 45-48)
If you submit your life to Christ in obedient commitment, you will expose yourself to a variety of sorrows. Your caring, your commitment to Biblical living, will make you vulnerable to things which the uncommitted heart will never experience.
Theophany and Epiphany.
The Gospel of Mark 5. The Lord of the Sea. Ch. 6:45–52
As at the beginning of his ministry (Ch. 1:12 f.), Jesus’ presence in the wilderness provoked the renewal of temptation: refusing the acclaim of the multitude he gave himself to a long period of solitude in order to affirm his obedience to the Father.
We fail to see God not because He has not clearly revealed himself, but because we have hardened hearts.
Jesus is more glorious than you think. He is more powerful and compassionate than you think.
Theophany and Epiphany.
Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament Chapter Six
The verb is basanizō (βασανιζω) “to torture,” used in the passive, “to be harassed, distressed.”
Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament Chapter Six
“to agitate, trouble, to cause one inward commotion.”
The Message of Mark 4. The Crowds Flock to Jesus (6:53–56)
Gennesaret (53) is probably the fertile plain south of Capernaum. They were aiming for Bethsaida, and are generally viewed as having been blown off course.
May the the Lord give us eyes to behold the glory of the Lord and be changed by Him.
Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Mark (Revised Edition) The Conquest of the Storm
What happened we do not know, and will never know. The story is cloaked in mystery which defies explanation. What we do know is that he came to them and their storm became a calm. With him beside them nothing mattered any more.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
Confessing. His mother said,
“Failure. Absolutely. Do you know what that makes you. Just like everyone else.
“Everyone fails at who they are supposed to be Thor. The measure of a person or a hero is how well they succeed at being who they are.”