What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

A Homily Prepared For Sunday June 23, 2024

The Collect

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Gospel

Mark 4:35–41

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

 

Commentary on Today’s Gospel Selection;

The Sea of Galilee is a vast freshwater expanse located in the Jordan Valley about 60 miles north of Jerusalem. Approximately 13 miles long and 7.5 miles wide at its broadest point near Magdala, the sea resembles the shape of a harp. Situated below the headwaters of the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee is fed with fresh water from snow-topped Mount Hermon and Mount Lebanon.

In New Testament times, the Sea of Galilee was an important commercial area surrounded by Capernaum, Chorazin, Bethsaida, Magdala, and Tiberias. Most of the roads in ancient Galilee passed near the sea, and many travelers crossed the Jordan Rift there. Being the only significant freshwater lake in the region, the Sea of Galilee supported a flourishing fishing industry. Capernaum, a dominant setting in the ministry of Jesus, was the center of that fishing industry (Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:10, 11).

The Sea of Galilee is known for its sudden and severe changes in weather and surface conditions. The reason why those storms come so quickly and so violently lies in the vast differential of the elevation.  If you have been in Palestine, you could not but notice the topography of the land.  It is an astonishing contradiction and distinction.  Mount Hermon is right there, ten thousand feet high, just right there, the peak of the Anti-Lebanon range.  Mount Hermon right there, ten thousand feet in the Anti-Lebanon range, and here is the Sea of Galilee, 680 feet below sea level.  And it is a hot country in the summertime, very hot.  And those gorges that come down from that high elevation of the Anti-Lebanon range down into that gorge, that trough that falls from the Sea of Galilee, which is 680 feet below the level, down the Jordan decline—and that is what Jordan means, “declining”––down to the Dead Sea, which is 1294 feet below sea level.  That vast gorge there draws into it the cold air from the top of the mountain, falling-cold air always falls down into that valley, and that’s why the storms can be so sudden and so violent.

In our scripture for today we find a story by Mark that reveals—not just the deity of Christ—but his humanity as well.

After teaching, healing, and confrontations with not only the Scribes and Pharisees, but his own human family as well, Jesus takes the Disciples and crosses over this stormy sea to the other side, apparently for rest and reflection.

Mark relates how that when this storm arose, the winds and waves tossing the little ship to and fro, the disciples ran to their Master, who they found sleeping soundly in the rear of the boat. Our Lord was so exhausted from all the trials and tribulations of that day, that he was taking time to get some much deserved rest.

How many times do you find that in the Word of God, in the story of our Master, His humanity? A man like any other man, weary like any other man wearies, tired, weeping, brokenhearted like any other man, just a human being as we are. He was fully human, and yet fully God.

Even after his glorious resurrection, he continued to demonstrate his humanity by asking those who he appeared too, for something to eat.

We also find throughout the Gospels, accounts of Jesus demonstrating his compassion and emotional attachment to humanity. One example is the scene at the tomb of Lazarus, with Martha weeping, Mary weeping, the friends weeping [John 11:33], and in the midst of that bereaved and sorrowing family, He stands with bowed head. And the tears, human tears, fall from His face to the ground [John 11:34-35], so much so that in His compassionate love, even those that hated Him said, “Behold, behold! What a friend, how He loved him!” [John 11:36]. A man like any other man, weeping tears and brokenhearted, as all of us weep when our hearts are sad.

But along with these various accounts that reveal his humanity, in the next scene, the next sentence, there is unveiled the glory of His deity. And they will be side by side, spoken in the same breath and delineated in the same sentence.

Our lesson today includes one of these side by side stories of his humanity as well as his deity, when he arose from an all too human state of peaceful slumber to stand face to face with the storm and calm it with just his words, a sign of his power and authority over all things, even the environment. One can almost picture the silence in that moment; the crashing waters slowly returning to an evening ripple, the boat’s wild plunging replaced by a gentle rocking; the disciples catching their breaths and then staring wide eyed at their master who now asks a simple question. “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”

By asking these two questions Jesus seems to imply that the disciples should have known that he had this power and should have trusted who he is. Why should the disciples have known this? Specifically, why does Jesus use the word “still”? Flipping back through the earlier chapters of Mark, we see that Jesus had already revealed his wisdom and authority through his preached word, by healing many who were sick, and by casting out many demons (whom he warned not to reveal his true nature). And regularly Jesus would hint at his identity, most clearly in the healing of the paralytic in Mark 2. We are still four chapters away from Peter’s definite statement that Jesus is “the Christ, Son of the Living God”. But Jesus has already revealed his power.

There will also be more examples of how the disciples would continue to “see but not perceive” whom they were with and the purpose for which he was amongst them. But in this story, Mark’s point is clear. The disciples who spent time with Jesus heard but did not understand. It wasn’t until they saw his supernatural power their eyes were opened and they were very afraid.

What application is there for us today? I think we learn to believe, fear, and trust.

We see that belief requires more than just hearing. The disciples were exposed to Jesus day in and day out, yet even after his teaching they failed to understand who he was. Do we, who are exposed to Jesus’ words again and again, believe and understand? Do we recognize this distinction and how it applies to both our lives and the lives of those with whom we share God’s Word?

“What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” “Their question provides the clue to the answer. Only God has power over seas and storms (Psalm 107:29). Their question also provides the key to this story, which does more than to reveal Jesus’ power. This is an epiphany story that reveals Jesus as either God’s agent or God incarnate. His identity will gradually become clearer until Peter’s confession (8:29). However, Peter’s vision will dim, and the disciples will continue to fear. At the cross, however, the Roman centurion who oversees the crucifixion (a Gentile), provides a clear answer. Whether due to apocalyptic signs (darkness and a torn temple veil) or something that he sees in Jesus, the centurion says, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’” (Donovan)

This story would have encouraged the early church, which experienced persecution—and serves to encourage Christians suffering difficulties today.

Benediction:

Almighty God, you own everything in the heavens and on the earth; please break me from the sinful habits of greed, worldliness, covetousness, and indiscipline. What your Son has done for me is much greater than any of my fleeting and temporary accomplishments. In Jesus’ name. Amen.