Who Is This?

Introduction

When was the last time you were amazed? Can we still be amazed? Can the grip of a baby’s hand around your finger still produce a sense of awe? Can a rainbow still make you stop and stare? Can the images from our universe hold you in rapt attention as you stare open-mouthed at God’s creation? Bombarded as we are by pictures, sounds, and words we are not as easily amazed as we once were. It takes more and more to amaze us.

Jesus came announcing the kingdom of God was present in him and through him. Not many were impressed. Even those who were impressed didn’t always understand Jesus’ purpose in this world. Let’s allow ourselves to be amazed once again by Jesus. Open your hearts and your minds to not only who he claimed to be but how he demonstrated that he was indeed the presence of God in this world.

Stories

Some of you have been in tremendous storms. When “Hurricane Elvis” came through Memphis in 2003, many of us were without power for days and some even for up to two weeks or longer. Hurricane force winds reaching over 100 mph whipped through our city. Those of us who were living in Memphis then remember the devastation of our city. Rows of electrical poles blown over; tops of trees snapped as if they were matchsticks; trees uprooted; traffic lights either blown away from wires or dangling precariously. It took a long time for the debris to be cleaned up and weeks before our city returned to normal. We were amazed at the destructive power of wind.

Mark does not tell us about the wind speeds on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus and his disciples experienced a storm. This was an unrelenting storm. Wind blew against the boats and blew the water into waves which threatened to sink the boats. And we find the disciples in fear. Who wouldn’t be afraid? The storm of ‘03 left many of us afraid. How does one not get upset by such things? But what is amazing is that Jesus is asleep. The disciples are bailing water and Jesus is getting some shut eye. The disciples are shouting commands so that they do not die and Jesus is dreaming. The disciples are spitting water and Jesus is counting sheep.

And to make matters worse, when they awaken him out of their fear, he rebukes them for having so little faith. Don’t they realize who is in the boat with them? Don’t they understand that the kingdom of God is near? They watched him heal all sorts of disease and they worry that a storm may cost them their lives. And Jesus stills the storm and demands confidence. The disciples’ response demonstrates their conviction—“Who is this that stills the storm?”

Do not allegorize the story. This isn’t about Jesus calming the storms of life. While that may be easier to preach, it isn’t the point. It is the disciples’ question which is supposed to generate for the reader what the intent is—“Who is this?” This is the same question that has already been asked and answered. This is about the greatness of Jesus and the reader is invited to be impressed and amazed. But Mark isn’t finished showing us the real Jesus.

In 5:1–20, Jesus heals a man possessed by a legion of evil spirits. A legion equals 5–6000 warriors. This man has been tortured by evil. While the details are significant it is the outcome that amazes. Not only is this man healed fully and completely but in the process Mark helps us to see one vital truth about Jesus. He is greater than the demons. Thousands of demons beg him to not destroy them. Thousands of demons understand that there is no war; there is no battle; in the presence of Jesus they bow to him.

But Mark is not finished. In 5:21–43 there are two more significant events. A woman who has been suffering disease for 12 years is healed and a little 12 year old girl is raised from the dead. Jesus controls nature, the demonic, disease, and death. Are you amazed?

Amazed

When was the last time you were amazed? When was the last time that something happened that not only got your attention but left you with a dropped jaw? So little amazes. And even Jesus doesn’t amaze us. We read of his healing and calming the storm and raising the dead and our response is something like this—“That was then but he hasn’t healed me or raised my loved one from the dead or cleared out the evil in this world. If he did something like that today, then maybe I could be amazed.”

Jesus didn’t heal everyone that wanted or needed healing. He didn’t calm every storm or raise every person from the dead. I cannot explain why some received a direct blessing from God and others did not. But then Jesus confessed that his purpose involved so much more than stopping evil in this world every time it appeared. He came to demonstrate that God was real and that God cared. He came to call people to trust him and to follow him as he revealed the kingdom of God. He called people to be kingdom people and to trust that what God did on a small scale in this world would pale in comparison to the eternal love and healing of God. What we needed more than physical healing was spiritual health. Jesus came calling all to repent and to seek relationship with God and he verified his message by his actions.

The disciples’ question in 4:41, “Who Is This?” Mark answers with great conviction. In 1:1 he is the Son of God and the Christ. In 1:11 he is the beloved son. In 1:24 he is the Holy One of God. In 2:10 he is the Son of Man. In 5:7 he is the Son of the Most High God. Mark shows us that those who saw him were amazed and astonished and began to follow him.

Do not be persuaded by something that holds out false hope. Do not be impressed by the temporary and that which only satisfies for the moment. Do not be fooled. The winds and waves obey him. The demons beg for his mercy. Even death relinquishes its grip. Jesus is the Christ and he wants to be Lord in your life.

Follow Jesus

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