NOW JUST WHO IS THIS JESUS?

The Sea ... We don't respect the sea the way the ancients did. With our boats, canoes, party barges, sea doo's, and water skis we treat the seas, the lakes, and the rivers as God's gifts for recreation. Every so often an accident on the water reminds us to be cautious. Occasionally, when a hurricane like Dennis comes rolling our way, we are confronted by the terrible power of the sea. But few of us make our living on the sea and our lifestyle is tied into proximity to the ocean. If it was, we might regard it a little more "spiritually."

There is a good reason why sailors are a superstitious lot. They know that crossing the sea is dangerous. This is why the ancients made sure not to offend the spirits of the deep as they went cruising over their heads. If the spirits got mad they could swallow you up into the briny deep in a quick blast.

While Jesus was teaching by the sea there might have been some indication that bad weather was boiling up. The seasoned fishermen of Jesus' group didn't know anything about low pressure fronts, but they were tuned into the signs. They also believed that the forces of the deep might be reeling and squirming because Jesus is crossing over their territory. They have seen the Teacher command evil spirits, but this was when he had the home court advantage. Dare he trespass on their turf? Why does he insist on crossing over to the other side?

Reading Mark 4:35-41
        That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took Jesus along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.
        A furious storm 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 ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
        They were terrified and asked each other, "Just who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

"Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

• Our questions and our fears: Does He care?
  • The disciples were nervous to begin with crossing over and into the home of the evil spirits. Going to the other side meant going to place unsafe and risky. ("Thar be monsters here"). Perhaps they were just a bit more bold because Jesus, who had proven his ability to go head to head with demons, was with them. If he insisted on going to the other side shouldn't he at least be giving them some reassurance? Shouldn't he be taking the spyglass from the captain to keep a look out for the enemy? Instead, he is sleeping on the job. He's sawing logs below decks. What sort of leader snoozes during a storm? Does He even care?
• We have had an awfully stormy week. Two demons from the deep named tragedy and terror emerged from the waves. We have buried people that we love. We are worried for the health of others. Globally, the war on terror is not over. Men and women possessed by demons of hatred and desperation struck at a city in the midst of celebration (London). Destruction has wakened from the deep and is charging toward the Gulf Coast. Where is Jesus? Does he care? When a loved dies, does he care? When evil strikes, does he care? When people suffer, does he care? When fears increase, does he care? Or is he asleep below decks on a cushion?
• Do you hear just a hint of irritation in their voices: Teacher, don't you care that we all could die? Or are you just going to sleep through it all?
• Now Just Who is This Jesus? Well, they call him TEACHER. Is that how we think of him? Is he the one sent from heaven to straighten out that fussy Old Testament doctrine? Is he a talented preacher whose real purpose is to take the hit for us and deflect God's wrath? Jesus is more than a religious teacher. Jesus is more than a well-timed substitute sacrifice. His teaching reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. He proclaimed that it was near. God is not waiting to smite Jesus so he can save us. No, the kingdom rule of God is at work in Jesus.
• O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. (Psalm 89:9) Who is like God almighty? Jesus, the son of God. He does not simply teach us about God. He reveals God. Jesus acts just as God acts. He has power over the turbulent seas and he commands the storm . . .

"Quiet! Be still!"

• Jesus' word against the powers: SHUT UP! CALM DOWN! Remember how the crowds were amazed at his teaching - he had authority. That authority is not limited to teaching.
• His word to the disciples: What are you afraid of? Where's your faith? In other words, don't you trust Me?
• Now just who is this Jesus? Do you hear the anxiety in their question? (What have we gotten into?) Miracles demonstrate the power and authority of Jesus, they can prompt the right question, but by themselves they do not give the answer. Even after Jesus stills the great storm we are still left in the great calm to ask questions. Who is this Jesus? What do you say? More to the point, do you trust him? How you answer the question of all good disciples (Who is this Jesus, then?) has a lot to do with how much we trust him. How much power and honor do we give to Jesus?
  • Trusting Jesus when he calls to us from the shore is not as risky. When his call comes from a breezy, windswept beach on a sunny day, it comes as a pleasant invitation. Almost like an invitation to join a game of volleyball, come on over to the BBQ, or sign up for a civic club.
  • Trusting Jesus when he asks us to follow him into the eye of the storm, to cross over to the place where evil controls the city is much riskier. That's when the powers rage and fume and spit all their fury. That's when evil reaches out to swamp our boats.
  • [This church is headed for "the other side" as part of our mission to make disciples. Just because we are faithful to follow Jesus and go where he wants. Just being Christian is getting more "counter-cultural" and risky every day].
  • Do we trust Jesus enough to risk our safety and security for the sake of the mission? Do we trust him even when storms are blowing all around us? When the powers of tragedy, terror, destruction, and desperation storm against us will we lose courage? Will we lose faith? Will we panic and get angry? Or will we rest easy with Jesus?

Chris Benjamin

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Morning Sermon, 10 July 2005

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