Mark chapters 4-6 portray a strong tension between between being afraid and having faith. Chapter 3 begins with Jesus telling the Parable of the Sower in which he explains different ways in which his Word is sown in the hearts of men...Sometimes it is stripped away by the worries and desires of this world. Other times it produces results a hundred times more than what was originally sown! At the end of this chapter we see Jesus displaying his power and authority over the wind and the waves as he calms the storm despite the lack of faith in his disciples. He says to them, "Why are you so afraid? Do you sill have no faith?" Mark 4:40. Fear. Faith. It seems to be a difficult tension.
As the chapters continue, we see Jesus healing a demon-possessed man, a sick woman, and a dead girl. We see him feeding five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish. We see him walking on water amidst gusts of wind that have caused the disciples to strain at the oars of their boat. Miracle after miracle showing Christ's control over each situation yet time and time again the disciples and other followers weakly succumb to the fear so prevalent within. Fear....resulted from trust put into something or someone other than the One who has the control...control that had been displayed right in front of their eyes. "And [Jesus] was amazed at their lack of faith." Mark 6:6
It is interesting to me how fear and faith seem to have this tension when there really should not be any tension at all. We are assured by Christ throughout Scripture that He does hold authority and power over EVERYTHING! In John 16:33 he says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Friends, fear is a lie! We have nothing to be afraid of when our faith is in Jesus Christ because he has complete control. So what is it that is causing you to be fearful? To worry? To stress? I encourage you to bring it to Jesus in prayer.
Even when we are faithless, Christ is faithful (II Timothy 2:13)....how is he showing you his faithfulness?
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