Jesus continued on His teaching ministry. Often, He taught in parables; because, the people just did not fully comprehend. He would explain the parables to His apostles. However, they were slow to really understand. Where ever He went, He healed people. Huge crowds would surround seeking that physical healing. Although, the demons recognized Him for who He was; many of the crowds did not. Yet, as we come to end of Mark chapter 4 and into the beginning of chapter 5; we see the story of just how far Jesus was willing to go for one lost soul. There were many seeking His powers of healing. Many who wanted what He could provide. Yet, in some isolated catacombs, far to the other side of the sea stood a man so tormented. He had not even heard of the spreading fame of Jesus.
“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them ‘Let us pass over unto the other side” (Mark 4:35). So they set out on the little boat, Jesus exhausted from all the work of the day falls sound asleep. Though entering the boat was a way to separate from the crowds for a moment of rest, knowing they were truly seeking only the gifts and not the giver of the gifts. They really did not fully understand that He came, leaving the splendors of heaven; so as to die a cruel death on a cross to pay the price for their sins. Not even, His chosen apostles fully understood the truth of His being God’s only begotten son. Other boats tried to follow His little boat. Then came the storm.
ONE LOST SOUL
The apostles had watched Jesus heal the lame. They listened to Him teach. Yet, amid a raging storm they were afraid; even with Jesus in their presence. What happened to the other boats? Most likely, when they saw the storm; they turned away, leaving Jesus. Peacefully, Jesus slept in the midst of the storm raging around Him. They cried out to Him, “Don’t you care if we die?” He was more concerned about growing their faith through the storm. He arose and commanded the storm, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39). Despite all the miracles witnessed, the apostles were afraid; because the wind obeyed His voice. They did not really comprehend fully who He was or is. Do we?
Or do we understand the full mission? They did not. When they reached the other side of the sea, in the country of the Gadarenes. “when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces,neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones” (Mark 5:2-5).
