Mark (p. 1776) They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Books*)
Who is Jesus? The disciples don’t know at this point. They are clueless – even they don’t understand His parables (p. 1775). But the clues are coming in: His family thinks He’s crazy. The religious leaders from Jerusalem think he’s possessed (p.1774). But what He does, He does by the power of God. He is filled with the Holy Spirit (p. 1775)! Demons in gentile regions recognize His authority and obey Him!?! (p. 1776)
But do we? Or are we more like the disciples who don’t understand Him, who He is, what He does, His ministry? The twelve were chosen “that he might send them out to preach and have authority to drive out demons” (p. 1774). Not everyone understood Jesus. Not everyone was supposed to. It takes effort, dedication, a constant, relentless focus to understand Him, to see what He is doing, to follow and join in. We cannot let ourselves become distracted by “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things” (see The Parable of the Sower, p. 1775)!
God help me to stay focused, to avoid distractions, to hear Your voice, to understand Your word(s), Your teaching. Come Holy Spirit!
In Jesus name – Amen
Son
*The Books of the Bible, NIV (Grand Rapids, 2011). Mark 4:41 in other versions.