Mark 4:35-41

2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17

Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:

"Let us cross to the other side."

Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.

And other boats were with him.

A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,

so that it was already filling up.

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.

They woke him and said to him,

"Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"

He woke up,

rebuked the wind,

and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!"

The wind ceased and there was great calm.

Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified?

Do you not yet have faith?"

They were filled with great awe and said to one another,

"Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"

Opening Prayer: Lord, many times I have succumbed to temptation and fallen into sin. I know the good I should do, but many times I chose to do evil instead. Despite these failings, I turn again to you, trusting that you will heal me and restore me to your friendship.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Sin Blinds Us: David has just committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, murdered along with several other men. Only when Nathan confronts him, does David realize the gravity of his sins. David’s anger was kindled against a man who stole a lamb. He could see how terrible the rich man was. Why was David so blind to his sin, which was much more serious and deadly?

2. David’s Prayer of Repentance: Psalm 51 is envisioned as David’s prayer of repentance. The psalm begins by expressing how we are marked by moral weakness and sin from the beginning of our existence. It uses three words to speak about the dark reality of sin. The first word for sin in the Psalm is chātā, which means “missing the target.” This teaches us that sin leads us far from communion with God, which is the goal of our existence. The second word in the Psalm for sin is awon, which carries the idea of “something twisted” or perverse, and indicates that sin is a deviation from the straight path. The opposite of this is conversion (shub) which is a return to the right path (51:13). The third word in the Psalm for sin is peshā, and this refers to a transgression or rebellion of some sort against God, the king, or other human beings. In this way, sin is seen as a rejection of and working against God’s plan for humanity. The Psalm asks God to have mercy on us, blot out our transgressions and iniquities, cleanse us from sin, recreate our hearts, and renew the strength of our spirit. The sacrifice acceptable to God is that of a contrite spirit and a humbled heart.

3. Jesus has Divine Power: Mark begins a new section in his Gospel which displays Jesus’ authority over nature, disease, demons, and even death (Mark 4:35-5:43). Jesus’ actions reveal his divine nature in various ways and also his mission on behalf of humanity. By calming the sea, Jesus shows that he is the Lord of all creation. The sea was viewed as a symbol of chaos and the abode of evil, and Jesus’ power over it means that he has the power to liberate humanity from the fear of death. Through Christ, the ancient fear and terror of the sea have been transformed into the reverent and filial fear of God. By subduing the sea, Jesus manifests his divine authority. Such actions are invitations to faith in Jesus. And the reader is asked a question by Mark: “Who is this?” We should respond: this is Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, who has the power to forgive our sins and save us from death.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you became man and lived our life. You know what it feels like to be tempted and to suffer. You did not give in. You did not fail. You were victorious over the devil and were faithful to your Father’s love and will. Help me in the moments of my temptation to be victorious as you were.

Resolution: David’s sin started out small. He was lazy, wasn’t where he was supposed to be, and gave into the temptation of lust. Giving into the small temptation of laziness snowballed into adultery and murder. When we find ourselves committing serious sin it can be good, in an examination of conscience, to trace it back to where it began. This knowledge of ourselves and our tendencies can help us in our battle against sin and help us resist the small temptations we face every day.