And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the waves obey him?”

This verse comes at the end of the scene in which Jesus is sleeping in the fishing boat during a storm. The disciples frantically wake him, convinced they are about to die; so obviously they expected Him to do something. Maybe they thought He would have some good nautical advice, or perhaps He would pray to God to save them. When Jesus simply rebukes the storm (and then rebukes them for their lack of faith), they are shocked and filled with fear, “great fear” to match the “great storm” of verse 37. The sea is calm, but they are afraid. They fear because this rabbi whom they thought they knew has power even to command the wind and waves. The disciples fear because they recognized the Holy God.

In fact, the very next story Mark tells us (5:1-20) begins with a demon-possessed man running up to Jesus and addressing Him as the Son of the Most High God. The story ends with the townspeople seeing the calm man and being afraid of Jesus, even asking Him to leave. They too recognize the power He displays as the power of God Almighty, and it scares them.

Does the holiness of Jesus fill you with fear? We sing “What a friend we have in Jesus,” but He is not our buddy; He is the Holy One of God. At the calling of the first disciples in Luke 5, Peter recognized the true nature of the Lord; he fell down on his face and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord,” (Luke 5:8).

For those of us who have been washed in Jesus’ blood and cleansed from all sin, we need not be in dread of Jesus and His holiness; however, a respectful fear and reverence is still warranted. I think that when I meet Jesus in heaven, I will not run up to him for a hug; but I will fall on my face in fear and worship.

Did you ever read the verses in Revelation where it talks about the creatures that stand around the throne and constantly repeat the same words? They say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8). I used to think that sounded like kind of a boring job, but now I think I’d like to join them. What could be greater than to ever be reminding all creation of the holiness of its creator?

The twelve apostles got to be in the presence of Jesus on earth for just a few years, and that must have been amazing. If I could go back in time and be a part of the crowd, I would do it; but instead, I’ll wait for heaven, where I can be close to Him without dread of His holiness, because I will be perfected as well. Praise to the Lord forever! Amen!

By Grace Barnes, Bible League International volunteer, Michigan U.S.