Daily Devotions
Mark
1 Peter 4:1 "Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin."
Day 104 – Mark 4
THE WORD OF JESUS
Right from the beginning, people noticed the authority behind the word of Jesus.
1. With reference to teaching
“And they were astonished at His teaching,
for He taught them as One having authority,
and not as the scribes”
MARK 1:22
2. With reference to exorcism
“What is this? What new doctrine is this?
For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits,
and they obey Him.”
MARK 1:27
3. With reference to diseases
“We never saw anything like this!”
MARK 2:12
HOW ABOUT INNOCUOUS WORDS?
What did the disciples make out of the following words Jesus uttered?
“He said to them,
‘Let us cross over to the other side.”
MARK 4:35
They probably did not think too much of this innocent and seemingly innocuous statement. What could be read into these words?
A SUDDEN WINDSTORM
Many of the disciples of Jesus were fishermen. As such they would be familiar with windstorms that could suddenly occur. And one sneaked up on them.
“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat,
so that it was already filling.
But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.
And they awoke Him and said to Him,
‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?'”
MARK 4:37-38
1. Calling Jesus “Teacher”
The disciples had seen Jesus fulfilling many roles! They had seen His lordship expressed over demons and diseases! Why was He only “Teacher” to them at this crucial moment? Where was that special relationship of trust in their Master?
2. Concern for self
There were other little boats (Cf. Mark 4:36) that made up a little fleet. Why was there such an overwhelming concern for themselves? What about Jesus sleeping?