Terrifying Jesus
Do you remember the last time you were terrified? If you fear flying, it probably involved air travel, some nasty weather, and strange bumps and noise in mid-flight. If you drive like many of us, it may have been the time you glimpsed a patrol car hiding behind a bridge as you zoomed by at a ridiculous speed, terrified that your speed would be displayed on the radar gun. Or maybe it was some other situation in which you had no control over what was about to happened to you. It’s terrifying.
There’s a scene from Jesus life where his closest friends were terrified. They were on a boat, in a storm, in the middle of the night. But that’s not the terrifying part. They thought the boat was going to sink. But that’s not the terrifying part. They woke Jesus up and questioned his commitment to their safety. “Don’t you care if we drown?” Then Jesus terrified them.
He rebuked the storm. With a simple command, he overcame the violent forces of the wind and waves. Then he turned to them and called them out. “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” THAT was the terrifying part! (You can read the whole story in Mark 4:35-41)
Imagine what it would be like. You think you know someone. Then they display amazing power that you couldn’t even DREAM about. Then they turn to you, and look right through you to see the darkest, most secret places in your soul. And drag those places out into the light. The person with THAT much power, has THAT much insight into your life. Is that the Jesus you know? Does your Jesus have that kind of power? And does he know that much about your life? If so, you can appreciate how terrifying that could be. As the saying goes, if you’re not terrified, you’re not paying attention.
Except that you don’t have to be. Because that Jesus, with that power, and that knowledge, is FOR you. He knows everything about you, and still is for you. In your darkest moments, he’s for you. And in your biggest storms, he’s with you. It would be terrifying…if it were anyone but Jesus.
-Pastor Mark
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Posted on June 14, 2012, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
Living in faith, hope and Love 
Mark: I am so into the story of placing everything in the hands of Jesus. I have been “terrified” worrying over what path my son Bryan will end up on and finally this year, gave it all up to Jesus and put him in His hands for direction. I know now that He IS in control and will guide Bryan and I have lived a so much less stressed life because of that decision. (excuse the bad grammer of that sentence…lol) Thanks for the reminder that we must be secure and have faith and believe in every circumstance that Jesus IS in control!
Hey Mark. Missed this way back in June…perfect timing as God wanted me to read it tonight.