They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:41 NIV
That word “terrified” here is probably better translated “fear”. It doesn’t mean fear like to be afraid of something. It literally means of those startled by strange sights or occurrences; or of those struck with amazement; or to treat with reverential obedience.
It really means a reverent awe. Its like we may say to someone who has done something remarkable, “Wow, I’m scared of you!” It is more of a worship reaction than a reaction of terror.
The disciples, when faced with the incredible truth of Christ and His power, had no choice but to worship Him. That is what worship is: ascribing worth. They had no choice but to ask, “Who is this guy?”
At that point, perhaps more than any other time, they realized with everything in them that This WAS Jesus. Did they understand Him completely? NO. Would they question Him again? YES. Would there be other storms? Of course!
For this one moment in time, however, nothing else in all the world mattered.
I had a time like that recently. I was praying for different people in our church, reflecting on some of the amazing things happening there, when I simply became overwhelmed at Jesus. I started to tear up and soon my eyes were flooded with tears. It was a great time of worship, in awe of who Christ is and what He is doing. Honestly it gave me a different perspective on the day.
Could the solution to your current problems be a time of worship? Do you need to get alone, separate yourself from every other distraction, and fall on your knees and worship? Is that the missing piece in your life right now?
Worship, like nothing else we do, takes us to the other side with Jesus and builds in us the full reality of His love. Find a moment this week to worship the Living Christ!
Thanks for the reminder. You know, one of your key phrases that stood out to me was “fall on your knees and worship”. One of my recent blogs (“Bow the Knee”), was about that concept. We may not see it as “necessary” to get on our knees (or even our faces) before the Lord of the universe, but it’s certainly appropriate. There’s something about getting in such a physical position that humbles us and honors God, paving the way for authentic worship.