Who Is This Man?

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” [Mark 4.41]

Who is this man indeed!

The sad thing is, most people, including Jesus' disciples here miss the whole point of this story recorded in three of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).

Let me back up:

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” [Mark 4.35-40]

This story comes in the context of Jesus teaching with parable after parable referring to the Kingdom (remember, this is Jesus Who said "Seek first the Kingdom of God..."). It is in this setting, and in the storm described in this setting that Jesus asked His men, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Jesus calming the storm with His words is one thing. However, amazing as that was, the implication of Jesus' question to His disciples in that moment is that they should have, and could have, calmed that storm themselves! “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

All Jesus' teaching leading up to this time was about the Kingdom... “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

As much as we would like to marvel at the miracle of this story, the real story contained in it is that Jesus used that moment to instruct the disciples that they possessed the exact same authority to "speak to the storm."

So, "Who is this man?" is a great question, but unless the question is answered correctly, the whole point of the story is unrealized.

"Who is this man?" He is the One given all authority Who has passed that same authority on to His followers to do likewise in order to promote, and continue to promote the Kingdom of God until time is over.

Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. [John 17.18]

Now we are talking "Kingdom."

Father, help us, help me, to answer, "Who is this man?" with accuracy. Help us to see Jesus as our teacher and guide - our Kingdom example.