#29 Be Not Afraid
Series: Mark
Chuck Sligh
October 4, 2020
This is a scary world we live in. In the story of Jesus walking on the water, we learn how Jesus wants us to handle our fears.
NOTE: PowerPoint or ProPresenter presentations are available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my archives.
Some thoughts and illustrations for this sermon were adapted from David Dykes’ sermon on SermonCentral.com titled Jesus Says, “Don’t Be Afraid.”
TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Mark 6:45-52 – “And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.”
INTRODUCTION
I. FIRST, WE SEE JESUS PRAYING ON THE MOUNTAIN IN VERSES 45-47 – “And immediately he constrained his disciples get into the boat, and go before him to the other side to Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed to a mountain to pray. 47 And when evening had come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land.”
Immediately after feeding the 5,000, Mark tells us that Jesus “constrained” his disciples to get into the ship to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The Greek word translated “constrained” implies an urgency.
Why the hurry? The answer is given to us in John’s version of the story where we read in John 6:14-15 – “Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, ‘This is truly the prophet who is to come into the world. 15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he departed again into a mountain by himself alone.”
The crowd was inflamed with Messianic fervor and wanted for Jesus to take Israel back from the Romans by force, with Jesus as the Messiah-King. This was not God’s plan in Jesus’ first advent, so He wanted to get the disciples away lest these Jewish Zealots infected the disciples and confused them.
However, rather than accompanying them, Jesus stayed behind to pray on a mountain. Certainly, He had a lot to pray for: His ministry was expanding, and the physical strain was showing on the whole ministry team. Also, the disciples needed a lot of prayer for their dullness in grasping spiritual truth. And while He was praying over these things, He knew that they were in the middle of the lake with a storm coming on.
II. NEXT WE SEE JESUS WALKING ON THE WATER IN VERSES 48-50. – “And he saw them toiling at rowing; for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night (which was about 3-4 AM) he came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him and were troubled. But immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, ‘Be of good cheer! it is I; Do not be afraid.”
Verse 48 says Jesus “saw them toiling at rowing.” Did Jesus see the disciples so far out with His human eyes, or was this a manifestation of His deity? The Gospel writers don’t tell us, but we know that somehow Jesus saw them.
Halfway out on the sea a howling wind came from the northeast. Any sailor would know that you would have to take down your sails in such a windstorm or your boat would be blown over and overturned. So they took out their oars and began rowing, and verse 48 says they were toiling at the oars. The word translated “toiling” means literally “to torment.” Yet, despite their toilsome efforts, they found themselves farther away rather than closer to shore.
Seeing them in their miserable situation, Jesus looks from the mountain on the disciples with the same compassion as He had when He saw the hungry multitudes in verse 34. So, He came to them walking on the water. Sceptics have scoffed at this story since it obviously defies the laws of nature. But believers have no problem believing that if Jesus were God, as He said He was and as the Bible teaches He was, then the One who created the land and the seas to begin with would have no problem walking on water.
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they didn’t recognize Him at first. They thought they were seeing a ghost and it scared them so much that Mark tells us they “cried out” in verse 49, and verse 50 said they were “terrified.”
But then Jesus spoke to them and instantly His voice calmed their fears. Jesus said, “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” “Be of good cheer” literally means “Take heart” or “Take courage.”
Why?—Because Jesus says, “It is I.” It was the Lord!—Now all was well! If the Lord was there, what was there to fear?
III. LAST, IN VERSES 51-52, WE SEE JESUS CALMING THE STORM. – “Then he went up into the boat with them; and the wind ceased: and they were utterly astonished, and marveled. 52 For they did not understand about the miracle of the loaves, for their heart was hardened.”
As soon as Jesus got into the boat, the wind ceased. This caused them to be utterly astounded at this revelation of Jesus’ presence and power. Mark concludes in verse 52 that the reason they were so astounded was that “…they did not understand about the miracle of the loaves, for their heart was hardened.”
They should not have been so astonished, if you think about it. Had they not witnessed Jesus multiply a boy’s picnic lunch into a banquet for 5,000? Why should they be astonished that Jesus could walk on water? Why should they be amazed that Jesus could calm the winds and the waves, especially since He had done it before? What is wrong with these people, for crying out loud?!
Mark tells us that it was because, “their heart was hardened.” This was not a hardness of sin in their heart, but rather a hardened view of Christ as this military deliverer they wanted, rather than the suffering God-Savior who came to suffer and die for our sin. Thus, the word “hardened” indicates a dullness, a void of understanding of Christ’s true identity as God despite one miracle after another that attested to it. Their slowness to figure things out is a constant theme in Mark. They loved Jesus, but they just didn’t get who He was yet. They were slow in learning.
CONCLUSION
As we think about today’s story in the Gospel of Mark, I want us to think about some things that this passage teaches us about our fears when we’re going through difficult times like the disciples did. They were in an awful windstorm that could capsize their vessel. They were toiling away, doing all that they could do to save themselves. They went through a fearful experience.
What can we do when it seems like the vessels of our lives are about to go under, when we’re doing everything in our own power to alleviate the situation and we’re beset by fears?
First, remember that Jesus prays for you during stormy, fearful times in our lives.
The disciples could not see Jesus, but Jesus could see the disciples. When you’re going through storms of adversity, it’s easy to say, “God, where are you?” Be assured that Jesus is there with you for He has promised in Matthew 28:20 “…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”
Be assured too that Jesus cares for you! The psalmist tells us in Psalm 139:17 – “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” There are over 7 billion people on this planet, but God is constantly thinking about you and me, and all His people. Isn’t that a blessing to know?
If that’s so, why would Jesus allow us to go through times of storms in our lives? Jesus doesn’t pray that we don’t have to go through trials; He prays for us to ENDURE the storms.
There’s an interesting conversation in Luke 22:31 between Peter and Jesus. It was the night before the crucifixion and Peter had just bragged that though all the others might forsake Jesus, HE never would. Jesus says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat.” Years ago, before wheat flour was highly refined, a sifter was used to trap lumps and imperfections and allow the light, pure flour to fall through. Jesus said Satan wanted to sift Peter; to bring out his imperfections. But in the very next verse, Jesus said, “But I have prayed for you, that your faith would not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”That night around the campfire, Peter’s faith faltered, but it didn’t fail, because Peter repented with tears and rejoined the disciples.
You might be thinking, “I wish Jesus would pray for me!”
I have good news for you; He is!
Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.”
So God will allow us to go through some difficult struggles and trials.
But He’s thinking about us; He’s watching over us; and He’s praying for us.
The second thing this passage teaches us is that Jesus will comfort you in your storms.
Jesus walks into the middle of our greatest fears and says, “Be of good cheer. It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Jesus brings comfort to us in our worst storms in life.
Illus. – Elisha Hoffman spent his life as pastor in Pennsylvania.
Once, while visiting a lady going through a deep trial of affliction, she cried: “Oh, what shall I do? I don’t know what to do!”
Her face brightened, and she said, “I must tell Jesus!”
On his way home, the words of the woman came to the pastor’s mind, and that night he wrote that comforting song, “I Must Tell Jesus,” a wonderful song that some of you grew up with.
Here are some of the lyrics of that song:
I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.
Tempted and tried I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share.
Tell Jesus when you’re in a windstorm that’s blowing you all about.
That’s what the disciples of John the Baptist did when tragedy struck them and they lost their dynamic teacher. We read in Matthew 14:10-12 – “And [Herod] sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter, and given to the girl: and she brought it to her mother.12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, […now note these last words:] and went and told Jesus.”
In their worst storm of their lives, the disciples of John brought their burden to Jesus.
It’s true that Christian brothers and sisters can often be a source of great comfort and encouragement when we’re going through storms. But usually all people want to do is vent, and their poor listeners get overwhelmed, not knowing what say or how to help. As good as it is to have someone to pour our sorrows out to, it’s possible to become too dependent on other believers for comfort and strength. Many, when going through a storm, immediately think, “I’ve got to tell someone.” But I believe God wants us to come to the place in our lives where we feel like that lady in our illustration who said, “I must tell Jesus.”
God wants to bring us to a place in our lives where we see how much we need HIM and where we go to HIM for comfort and support and consolation and strength. If you cultivate a habit of first going to Jesus in His Word and in prayer for comfort and solace, you’ll find many times that He is really all you need. When you go through the storm, remember that Jesus will comfort you—if you’ll let Him.
Last, think about this: Any problem over your head is already under His feet.
You may not fear drowning in water… You may fear poor health: It’s under his feet. You may fear financial loss: It’s under His feet. Whatever threatens to be over your head is already under His feet!
God has placed everything under the feet of Jesus. Ephesians 1:20-22 says, “Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion…22 And He put all things under His feet.”
You say, “That’s nice, but I’m down here in the middle of the mess.” Actually, spiritually speaking we share the same perspective Jesus has. Ephesians 2:6 says, “And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Where am I right now? Physically I’m standing on the platform where Grace Baptist Church meets, but spiritually, I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. And Paul uses the phrase “in Christ” over 70 times in the New Testament. Christ “in me” speaks of power, but me “in Christ” speaks of position. I can either look at my problems from this perspective down here—and they look big and scary from this perspective—or I can look at my problems from His perspective where they look tiny and minor. You have the same choice!
Illus. – I read this week about a small plane pilot who was flying to a country town airport. He looked on the highway and a long 18-wheeler truck carrying a load of logs was going real slow. He could see a little car behind the 18-wheeler wanting to pass. It would pull out and then swerve back into the lane without passing.
The pilot looked ahead up the highway and saw that nothing was coming for at least a mile. If there was some way he could have told the driver of the car, “Hey you don’t have to be afraid. Nothing’s coming. You can safely pass that truck.” But it looked very different to the driver of that little car behind that load of logs.
The pilot had a totally different perspective. How many times would we look at our fears and problems differently if we could see them from the perspective of above?
Well, how do we get God’s perspective? I realize that getting God’s perspective is easier said than done. But I do know a few things about the Christian life and one of them is this: True wisdom comes from God and the way we discover His wisdom in His Word. In God’s Word we learn who God really is instead of the caricature we have created in our own minds. In God’s Word we discover how God works in people’s lives and how He rewards and disciplines us. In God’s Word, we learn the reasons for trials and the tools we can use to endure them with perseverance and faith. And it’s in God’s Word that God shines the light of His holiness to purge out our sin and spiritual dullness and lethargy and our waywardness and our willfulness.
As we seek to know God and His ways, we can begin to look at life from God’s perspective. The lesson then is to get into God’s Word when you’re going through a storm and seek God until He gets you through it.
Illus. – When I was a child living in California, I remember a trip we took back East. My dad and mom and all four of us kids slept in the same room because we were poor as church mice. Mom set up blankets to sleep on the floor on the opposite side of where the door was.
Just as I was about to go to sleep, I saw my dad sit straight up in bed. Then I heard someone at the door quietly trying to turn the doorknob. After a second I saw a shadow across the window as someone walked away. My dad didn’t move, but he was watching and listening. After a few moments, he laid back down and went to sleep, and secure that Dad was calm, so did I. You know, if I as a child had been in that room alone, that would have been a frightening experience. But because Dad was there with me and he was paying attention to the problem, I was not afraid. The next day he said someone just tried the door to see if it was locked, so he left.
This is a scary world we live in. But He who watches over us neither slumbers nor sleeps. He loves you and He has told you not to be afraid. Whatever threatens to be over your head is already under His feet. And we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.
When you recognize these truths, you’re able to see your problems from God’s perspective. Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but take heart; I have overcome the world.”
