Who Is This?

Introduction

One’s identity is largely understood based upon character and personality. We look at a person who is unknown to us and make assumptions based on what we see, but the true measure of a person is determined more so by spending time with that person and understanding their personality and traits. Many years ago, I was at Sea Isle Elementary school for some event. As I was visiting with a person, the question that most people ask was asked of me, “What do you do for a living?” I answered that I was a minister. The person’s response was “You don’t look like a minister.” I’m not sure if that was a good or bad statement. I’m not sure what ministers are supposed to look like but I do know that perceptions and expectations are ingrained.

We watch what a person does and that helps us to form an impression about that person. Actions speak louder than words we say. But words and actions that coincide are powerful and convicting. Mark began his gospel account by stating that he was writing about how Jesus is the good news about God’s kingdom. Mark stacks story after story, event after event, miracle after miracle to persuade the reader who Jesus is. The reader may not be able to see Jesus but through Mark’s writing we can decide who he is. Along the way, Mark allows us to see the response of others as they watched Jesus’ actions and heard his words. The response of others adds to the drama of making our own decision about who Jesus is.

Today’s text is a reminder that even his disciples needed to be convinced about the identity of Jesus. We will join them in their experience and we, too, will have an opportunity to be convinced about the identity of Jesus. Who is this? is not merely a question but a statement of conviction.

Storm

Jesus and his disciples get into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. There is ministry to do on the other side. During their crossing there is a great storm that arises. Storms on the Sea of Galilee are common and sometimes erupt without much warning. Their boat would have been a large almost flat bottom craft. There would have been four of them rowing. In the calmness of the sea before the storm, Jesus goes to sleep in the back of the boat. A storm arises that is unrelenting. This is not a modest storm, this is a storm with waves so high they begin to fill the boat. The disciples are scared and Jesus sleeps. The disciples bail water and Jesus is counting sheep. The disciples are in chaos and Jesus is calm.

To the Jewish mind, the sea is a place of mystery and unexplained power. While God created the sea, unlike the land, one cannot see into the depths of the sea. While Peter, Andrew, James, and John fished these waters, there was much about the sea that they did not know nor understand. While there were signs about an impending storm many times the storms on the sea were unpredictable and violent. Such a storm resulted in fear leading to crying out to God for salvation.

So what do the disciples do? They call on Jesus to save them. Their question in verse 38 is a cry for help not a rebuke of Jesus for not caring. The negative “not” expects a positive answer. They know Jesus cares. Their cry for help is an admission that they have done all they can and the chaos reigns. So they cry out to Jesus to save them. Look at the text carefully. Jesus rebukes the wind and speaks to the sea. There are two commands here. The first for the wind and the second for the sea. He tells the wind to be quiet and he tells the sea to be still and they respond to his words. Immediately the chaos gives way to calm.

Jesus’ two questions are perplexing. The disciples’ fear and faith are questioned. How do you blame them for having fear? In the midst of this terrible storm in which their lives are in danger, why wouldn’t they be afraid? Aren’t you? When there is uncertainty don’t you at least have a little jolt of fear? Why question their faith when they reached out to Jesus for salvation? How is that a demonstration of a lack of faith?

Faith and Fear

Mark writes to convince readers about the identity of Jesus. Who is this man? is a natural question to ask if one is trying to discover the identity of Jesus. The implications are astounding. If Jesus is who he claims to be then it comes down to one’s responsive faith to that. The responses to that are limited—acceptance or rejection. The rejection part is easy enough to understand. It’s the acceptance part that demands much. This is why Jesus rebukes his disciples about their faith and fear. If they knew him, would their response have been different? Jesus thinks so.

Don’t turn this into some allegory about the chaos of life and Jesus stilling the storms and challenges. That makes sense and is a principle that is easily accepted but that doesn’t answer the real question. Who is this man and what is my response to him? The disciples already have seen much in reference to Jesus. Jesus has already healed and taught publicly and privately. He has generated a lot of excitement and people have been amazed. He has called these disciples to preach and drive out demons. He has taken them aside and explained his teaching so that they can follow with greater clarity. Is it no wonder that Jesus questions their faith? Who am I? Do you not know? Have you not seen enough? Why are you still asking?

Look at Psalm 89. The greatness of God is portrayed. Look at verses 7-9. Who is Jesus? He is God. He is faithful. He rules over the sea. The very wind hears his voice because he is the Creator. Since he is the Creator; since he is God, then verse 5, let us praise him. This praise is more than singing songs on a Sunday. You see the real question is what do you do with this Jesus? The disciples’ fear was borne out of what they witnessed around them. Then the great storm gave way to a new kind of fear. Verse 41—terrified is literally “feared a great fear.” You thought the storm made them afraid. Jesus terrifies them. Feared a great fear.

Jesus says, you were afraid of that which I created. Do you not know who is in the boat with you? We fear what we see, do you not know who your Lord is? As humans we experience fear as a natural response to all sorts of things. Who is this man that can tell the wind to hush and the sea to be still? The disciples placed their faith in what they saw. They called on Jesus because they couldn’t see past the chaos. Jesus’s rebuke calls on them to see beyond the immediate; to see the reality of his presence is greater than anything else. Fear a great fear. As David writes in Psalm 27: “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is my stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” What will you do with Jesus?

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