But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Mark 4:35-41

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers six divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's second (of six) division (v38): 

• The commentary's title for this division is "Jesus Is Human Aside from Sin." The commentary actually offers two divisions for v38 - I already posted about the second of these here, but because I missed the first one, I came back to it today. 
• Believers know the Jesus is both fully man, and fully God.  He came to us as the Incarnate Son of God to both experience life as we do, and then to die for us, taking upon Himself God's wrath as one perfect spotless sacrifice that served as the final sacrifice for all of humanity throughout all of redemptive history.  The commentary emphasizes this as well as sharing how Jesus lived without sin and He "had no sin nature."  We are referred to to 2 Corinthians 5:21, and Hebrews 4:15.
• "Both His humanity and His deity are put on display in this story, and it is humanity that appears so clearly when He is in stern of the boat, fast asleep on a cushion. The Bible repeatedly teaches our Lord’s full and true humanity. He got hungry (Matt 4:2). He got angry (Mark 3:5). He cried (John 11:35). He died (the cross). Now we see He slept. He had an exhausting day, and He kept on sleeping right through the storm. This is the only time in the Gospels that we read of Jesus sleeping."
• "[Jesus] had complete trust in the providential care of His Father. The veteran seamen may be terrified, but the Carpenter from Nazareth [slept] soundly."  

The commentary here wraps by also sharing that just as Jesus had a work to do (His ministry) before He went to the cross how we also have a work to do and just as Jesus did, we can endure what He endured because He gives us the Holy Spirit, He never leaves or forsakes us, He knows everything about us and can sympathize with us (Hebrews 4:15), etc.  We have an awesome God who equips us to weather the storms of life!  Praise Jesus!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are indeed an awesome God who loves us and who saves and equips us to weather the storms of life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

[H]e made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

John 11

[H]e made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:7

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Lazarus: The Final Witness*".

*Title of lesson eight from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day four starts with Max Lucado discussing what I raised yesterday with my post - that Jesus wept over Lazarus even though He knew he would be raised.  He wept because He cared for Martha and Mary...and He cares for us.  He is able to empathize with us. 

We are able to have a personal relationship with God of the Universe - the Lord of Lords.  And we know that He cares about and for us. He understands pain, loss, etc. I also posted a couple of days ago how Jesus wants to help carry our burdens.  I think it is worthwhile for us to ponder on how we have can have this personal relationship with God, knowing that He understands us - not only does He know everything about us, but He was like us and experienced what we do - incredible!

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God - You know everything about me, and You know everything about what is it like to live as I do as You came to earth in human form. You then lived a perfect life but willingly surrendered Your life so that I could have forgiveness of sins and eternal life - now to the full and eternally in Heaven once we are called Home. These are all amazing gifts of which I am not deserving of any as my sin continues particularly harshness with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

John 11

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. v33

This morning's reading in v17-37 struck me on the topic of the Incarnation. In three places (V33, 35, 38), we see Jesus' emotions, underscoring the humanity of His nature of both God and man.  We should take great comfort and encouragement in knowing that "Jesus is fully and perfectly man and has also experienced the full range of human experience. We have a Savior who can truly identify with us because he is man and who can also truly help us in temptation because he has never sinned" (see DesiringGod.com for more on this topic). 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who knows everything about me and knows everything about being human because You came to earth to live a sinless life and to give me the power to gain freedom over the sting of sin and death myself - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift and such love.  I worry and I gossip.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly firends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.