Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Gospel, Mark 4:35-41

Mark 4:35-41

I love this account by Mark. It holds a great personal marker for me and I’ve cited it in years past. It is the first passage from a sermon in church for which I wrote down notes. I’m sure they were very profound and deep. Actually, I wish I still had them because perhaps their simplicity would be at the same time humbling and informative. Our pastor, a man named Ron Mehl, simply began his sermon by quoting the Lord Jesus, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

Without spiritualizing the text too much, I do remember him saying something along the order of “Following Jesus will always take us to the ‘other side.’” Away from the familiar while standing in the midst of the mundane. Or setting our feet on solid ground while in the midst of chaos. That’s always the other side. That’s always miles away from how the world would perceive situations. And in our gospel this week it’s very similar. How do we know? Because in the midst of a truly life-threatening situation, Jesus asks, “Why are you so fearful?” pointing to their panic at waves that had been filling their boat. How would you have answered? I think I know myself well enough that I would have been on the terrified side as they were. The “other side” here is simply that with Jesus present there is never a time to be afraid.

I’m still learning that one. And learning forces all manner of questions. The key is finding the right ones to ask. So the question prompted by the situation here is nothing short of awesome (and yes, I know that word is overused these days). “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (cf. v. 41) What other question could possibly be more appropriate after seeing a man calm a tempest with only a word?

Lord, open my eyes to see the other side and let me dwell there with You. No matter my questions, your answers are always right. Amen!