“Encountering Jesus: Transformative Moments in the Gospel of Mark” Week 8

“Encountering Jesus: Transformative Moments in the Gospel of Mark” Week 8: “A Revealing Storm” Big Idea: Jesus walks on water, demonstrating his sovereignty over nature and calming his disciples’ fears. Practice: Have faith in Jesus, even in the midst of life’s storms, knowing that he is always present and in control. Reference: Mark 6:45-52          Cross-Reference: Matthew 14:22-33 Structure: Recognizing Life’s Storms V45-47  Jesus sends away the disciples, dismisses the crowd and heads up the hills to pray. Jesus’ True Identity V48- 50  Omnipresence [all-present] – He saw that they were in serious trouble (vision from an impossible        distance) Omnipotence [all-powerful] – Jesus came toward them, walking on water. (treading over impossible circumstances) Omniscience [all-knowing] – He intended to go past them (a theophany of God revealed)  They thought it was a ghost (illustrating the glow of His divinity) Grand Revelation – Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. (I AM. The culmination of His divinity.) Jesus Calms Life’s Seas V51-52  The wind/the struggle ends, their lack of faith is further revealed. Why Verse 48 Changes, EVERYTHING: “He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them,” Mark 6:48 NLT The omnipresence of Jesus on display. From a distance, Jesus saw the plight of His’ disciples.  John’s account along with the time elapse illustrates quite some distance from shore.  John 6:19 NKJV Fourth watch is a Roman time standard (3am-6am) further illustrating Mark’s intended audience (Christian’s in Rome). The Jewish tradition only calls for 3 watch divisions.  Roughly 9-12 hrs have elapsed since Jesus left the disciples. (Evening is roughly 6pm by Jewish standard, 4th watch is between 3-6am) The idea of God “passing by” holds an implication of the Divine Presence and Manifestation of the power and theophany of God.  The omnipotence of Jesus on display. Doing the humanly impossible, coming out to them walking on the water. - A theophany is an appearance of God, an intense manifestation of the presence of God that is accompanied by an extraordinary visual display.[1] Exodus 33:14-19 CSB 1 Kings 19:11-13 ESV The omniscience of Jesus on display. Intending to go past them implies the unveiling revelation of His full knowledge and abilities to reveal Himself and the characteristics of God. This act of “passing by” and further revealing His deity answers their question from the last time He saved them out on the Lake, “Who is this?”. Jesus is further identifying Himself as God in flesh, or Messiah.  “They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”” Mark 4:41 NIV for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” Mark 6:50 NASB95                                                                        ἐγώ (I) εἰμι (am He) Most English translations miss the importance of this statement of Jesus, “egó eimi” or simply put in English “I Am.” Jesus in the further revealing of His Divine nature provides a word of comfort and peace by speaking His true identity. Yeshua, Yahweh saves. Exodus 3:14-15 LSB The Word, logos, has become flesh. He is with the people as their salvation but He is directly God who has come to save man. John 1:1-5 LSB Revelation 22:13 CSB Quotes: "The New Testament is in the Old concealed; the Old Testament is in the New revealed." - Saint Augustine of Hippo [1] The Gospel Coalition. “Theophany”. Vern Poythress. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/theophany/ (accessed June 17th, 2024)