Lord Jesus, just as you calmed the wind and waves, you alone offer me the peace and calm that comes from knowing you. Whenever I feel overwhelmed by the storms of life that come my way, remind me of your presence and surround me with your peace. Trusting in you, I am comforted by the security of your love. Amen.

Come Together in Faith and Follow Jesus

Introduction

Mark 4:35—5:20: Today’s reading introduces us to two of four miracles that involve Jesus’ traveling back and forth across Lake Galilee. After preaching to a large crowd of people, Jesus and the disciples cross Lake Galilee by boat. A storm erupts and Jesus orders the wind and waves to be still. When they arrive on the other side of the lake, they are in Gentile territory and encounter a man possessed by evil spirits.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today’s Scripture: Mark 4:41b

“Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today’s Reading

35 On the evening of that same day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats were there too. 37 Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water. 38 Jesus was in the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The disciples woke him up and said, “Teacher, don't you care that we are about to die?” 39 Jesus stood up and commanded the wind, “Be quiet!” and he said to the waves, “Be still!” The wind died down, and there was a great calm. 40 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you frightened? Do you still have no faith?” 41 But they were terribly afraid and began to say to one another, “Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” 1 Jesus and his disciples arrived on the other side of Lake Galilee, in the territory of Gerasa. 2 As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, he was met by a man who came out of the burial caves there. This man had an evil spirit in him 3 and lived among the tombs. Nobody could keep him tied with chains any more; 4 many times his feet and his hands had been tied, but every time he broke the chains and smashed the irons on his feet. He was too strong for anyone to control him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the tombs and through the hills, screaming and cutting himself with stones. 6 He was some distance away when he saw Jesus; so he ran, fell on his knees before him, 7 and screamed in a loud voice, “Jesus, Son of the Most High God! What do you want with me? For God's sake, I beg you, don't punish me!” ( 8 He said this because Jesus was saying, “Evil spirit, come out of this man!”) 9 So Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” The man answered, “My name is “Mob”—there are so many of us! ” 10 And he kept begging Jesus not to send the evil spirits out of that region. 11 There was a large herd of pigs near by, feeding on a hillside. 12 So the spirits begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs, and let us go into them.” 13 He let them go, and the evil spirits went out of the man and entered the pigs. The whole herd—about two thousand pigs in all—rushed down the side of the cliff into the lake and was drowned. 14 The men who had been taking care of the pigs ran away and spread the news in the town and among the farms. People went out to see what had happened, 15 and when they came to Jesus, they saw the man who used to have the mob of demons in him. He was sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were all afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the man with the demons, and about the pigs. 17 So they asked Jesus to leave their territory. 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had had the demons begged him, “Let me go with you!” 19 But Jesus would not let him. Instead, he told him, “Go back home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how kind he has been to you.” 20 So the man left and went all through the Ten Towns, telling what Jesus had done for him. And all who heard it were amazed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reflect

Why did Jesus question the disciples’ faith (4:40)? Have you ever experienced a crisis of faith? If so, what did you do? Why were the disciples still afraid, even after Jesus calmed the storm (4: 41)? Why were the people afraid after Jesus healed the man in Gerasa (5:15)? What did the man do after he was healed? What do these two stories teach you about Jesus