4.15.18
"Taking A Nap"
TEXT: Mark 4:35-41, 15:26-29; 1 Peter 5:6-7
TRUTHS:
1. We often want Jesus to "mirror" our desires, plans, attitudes, and behavior. In reality, followers of Christ should be mirroring their Savior. We have to decide if we are going to battle obedience to Jesus or battle the temptation to sin.
2. The suggestion to cross the sea at night came from Jesus. This means he was leading them into the storm and reveals that he will, at times, lead us into and through storms. Jesus may lead us into confusing, unsettling, uncomfortable, and surprising circumstances. These "stormy" seasons of life work truths and realities into our hearts that cannot get put there any other way. When it is over and we are through the storm, our view of God gets enlarged and we are meant to be amazed at how Jesus has acted on our behalf.
3. The disciples wake Jesus up to accuse him of not caring about the fact that they are perishing. Walking through storms often reveal what is lying hidden in our hearts. Like the disciples, it is not usually faith that gets revealed in us, but rather fear. In the midst of a storm it is easy to wonder if Jesus is paying attention and/or if he cares.
4. Peter answers the question of, " Does Jesus care?" In his writings, he reveals that Jesus invites us to cast all our anxieties on him because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Not only does Jesus care about the storms that seem to threaten our lives, he cares about all aspects of our lives. As believers, we must resist the temptation to accuse Jesus of not caring about whatever situation or condition we may find ourselves in.
5. When we doubt the Word of God, fear will invade our lives. The disciples are rebuked by Jesus because they forgot that Jesus had already told them they were going to the other side. Jesus didn't say they were going to perish in the middle of the sea. When Jesus speaks something, it happens. And Jesus has promised us the "other side" if we will persevere, endure, and trust him.
6. Jesus was mocked as he hung on the cross. The religious leaders pointed out that Jesus had saved others, but now was unable to save himself. They did not understand something very important. It's not that Jesus couldn't save himself, it's that he wouldn't. The one who saved his disciples from the storm--and could have saved himself from the cross--chose not to because that is where and how we are saved. One of the key questions that emerges from the Gospel is Mark is not, "Who is this that even the wind and waves obey him," but, "Who is this that would willingly hang on a cross in my place?"
7. In our efforts to mirror our Savior, we should look for and pay close attention to Scriptures that reveal what really moved Jesus and what Jesus seemed to focus his life on. What moves Jesus should move us. We would be wise to focus on those things rather than all the storms we seem to be walking through.
TALK TO EACH OTHER
1. What part or aspect of the text (Mark 4:35-41) stood out to you and how does it relate to something you have went through or are currently going through?
2. What may lead us to a place where we doubt the Word of God? How does someone get to that place?
3. Two examples were given Sunday morning concerning areas of life that seemed to move Jesus significantly: (1) truth and the proper worship of God, and (2) unsaved people. Can you think of any more from the New Testament?
TALK TO GOD:
Pray as you feel led concerning the following area(s):
For those who seem to be in the middle of a storm.