Day 15: Jesus’ Power and Compassion

“...but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to the and said, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’”
Mark 6:49 & 50

Several weeks ago, the recorded zoom call of a small council meeting went viral. Jackie Weaver, previously unknown, is now a household name around the UK. Her notoriety came when, after a bully’s spewed charge, “You have no authority here Jackie Weaver!”, she immediately & quietly booted him from the zoom. Whatever he believed, Jackie Weaver actually did have some control, resulting in whispers of “she kicked him out” after his loud, proud, and quickly disproved statement. We relish the comeuppance of this. Like a perfectly crafted retort, it can feel so good to see someone abusing power get put in their place in such a smooth, cool way.

If ever anyone was in a position to reveal their truly superior position it was Jesus. Perfect in every way, fully divine and yet fully human, Jesus has every right to show his hand, reveal his power, and have the last word. Jesus is all powerful and, yes, he will have the last word, yet within his perfect power he also shows overwhelming compassion.

In today’s verses we see the disciples respond to Jesus’ divinity, his total command of creation, walking out on the water made by his hand. And that response is…to totally freak out. They’re utterly terrified and mistake him for a ghost. This reaction is no wonder either, other pictures of Jesus in the scriptures show us how terribly awesome Jesus can appear in his divinity.

Revelation speaks of Jesus as with eyes like flaming fire, a voice like roaring water, his face shining with the full strength of the sun, he carries stars in his hand and a sword in his mouth (Rev 1:15-16). That’s not exactly the storybook picture of Jesus we’re used to. A little further into the gospel of Mark, Jesus stands in illuminated glory talking with Elijah and Moses (who have long gone to heaven). On seeing this Peter doesn’t know what to do with himself and starts rambling nonsensically about building tents “for he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.” (Mark 9:5-6)

See, Jesus didn’t begin existing as a baby in a manger. Rather, even before the beginning of time he was with God and is God; all things are created through him and for him (John 1:1).Paul breaks into song over this in Colossians, calling Jesus the ‘image of the invisible God’ who created all things (Colossians 1:15 & 16). Jesus commands creation, he can still the wind, feed multitudes, push back sickness at the mere touch of his robe. He has every authority. And in a glimpse of this divinity his disciples freak out.

Our passage tells us their hearts are hard (v 52); they still don’t get who Jesus is even though they’re with him constantly. Apparently feeding 5,000 people from a couple of fish wasn’t enough for them. Yet as the disciples freak out in terror at his glory Jesus says, “Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.” Then he climbs into the boat with them, and the wind just stops. He knows their hearts, yet he responds to their fear with compassion.

Jesus who has all authority, and every right to use his power, Jesus responds to the hard and fearful hearts of the disciples with abundant compassion. It is a glimpse of his character, of what he will show in taking up the shame and humiliation of the cross. Jesus, who has command over all creation, submits to death on the cross at the hands of those he’s made. He could have washed his hands of all of it, knowing our hearts were hard towards him and didn’t deserve him. Instead, he takes on the death that was ours. In his compassion he takes on our death, in his power he raises to life, in both he offers sinners new hearts and flourishing under his authority.

We deserve to be booted out of God’s presence, and without Jesus that’s where we find ourselves. Yet Jesus came to win sinners back. Jesus has all authority but offers compassion to booted out, undeserving sinners. Jesus will have the last word, and denying his authority will mean being forever out of his presence. But when we confess our sin & need, when we trust his power and compassion we hear “Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.” Take his hand of compassion while it’s offered and come into the presence of the Lord.

_**Written by Faith Whitacre **_---

Passage for today: Mark 6:45-56

A thought to remember: All powerful Jesus shows us overwhelming compassion.

A question to ask: When did you last adore Jesus in awe of his authority and the wonder of his mercy?

A song to sing: His Mercy is More