Mark 4:35-41
At the end of the Gospel passage we heard today, the disciples ask one another: Who then is this? Jesus has just stilled the seas and calmed the winds. Who then is this? They call him teacher earlier in this passage. Now they have known him in a new way. Who then is this?
Who then is Jesus for you? How do you experience Jesus in your life? The living Jesus who is here in our midst right now?
Is that a question you think about? Most of us, I expect would be quick to describe Jesus. We have a whole basketful of titles and theological terms to talk about Jesus. He is the Son of God, the Lamb of God, Reedemer…
We know the formulas of the creeds:
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven…
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate…
He suffered death and was buried…
On the third day he rose again…
The words describe Jesus and remind us of what he did for us. But what does he do for you? Who then is he in your life today?
As I think of the varied experience of all of us gathered here today, if we could combine our descriptions of Jesus’ actions in our lives, it would tell a wonderful story!
For the disciples, he was someone who stilled the storm that raged around them. Who is he for you?
Earlier this week I participated in the service in which the Rev. Nicholas Romans was installed as the new Rector of Church of the Transfiguration in Palos Park. The preacher was Martin Smith. He spoke about Jesus’ presence with us, in the midst of us, that night. And he opined about what he thinks the living Jesus likes best of all to do. It’s neat to think about what Jesus likes to do when he is with us. Smith’s feeling is that what Jesus likes best of all is to make things new. To bring new life. To renew people, churches, the world around us.
Who then is this Jesus? Often he is someone who makes things new, who renews us.
Smith also talked about how God trusts us. God trusts us to be the church, to be Jesus’ hands and voice in the world. Jesus conveyed that trust to the disciples. Maybe he does for us to. Jesus conveys and affirms God’s trust in us.
There is a common practice among many Christians to speak of Jesus as friend. Who then is Jesus? He is my friend. Yes, he is a constant companion, but there is one temptation to beware of in perceiving Jesus as friend. It’s easy to reduce Jesus to only human… to make him in the image of your ideal friend and then call him God.
But thinking of Jesus as friend inevitably brings to mind the great American hymn, What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Do you remember the rest of the words? It’s a wonderful sort of friendship that the hymn talks about.
What a friend we have in Jesus
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
Who is Jesus? The bearer of our griefs and sins and sorrows.
Who is Jesus? The tireless messenger of our prayers.
I know Jesus as God, sharing my human experiences. And bringing God’s own holiness into my human experience. Shares and makes holy our human experience. The living Jesus still speaks the words that he speaks to the disciples at the end of Matthew’s Gospel. “Behold, I am with you always.”
Who then is this Jesus for you? How do you experience Jesus?
As I think about this question, another hymn comes to mind. It’s one of my favorites; I quote it often.
I came to Jesus as I was, so weary worn and sad. I found in him a resting place and he has made me glad.
He is a resting place. And a source of renewal. I think “glad” is how you say “renewed” when it has to rhyme with sad. Jesus is a place to rest and be renewed.
He was asleep in the midst of the storm. For me that is not a sign of indifference, it is a sign of peace. Jesus is a source of peace even in the midst of life’s most tumultuous storms. And remember sleep is a process of renewal. Jesus brings peace and renewal even in the midst of fear, uncertainty and chaos.
Who then is Jesus for you?
