Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem reveals profound truths about authentic kingship and worship. While the crowds expected a powerful political savior, Jesus deliberately chose symbols of humility, riding a donkey instead of a war horse. His examination of the temple challenged where people placed their trust and hope - in worldly power versus divine authority. This transformative moment demonstrates that true kingdom authority operates through service and humility, not dominance and control.

In all three of the synoptic gospels, Mark, Matthew and Luke, the story of Jesus calming the storm and of his healing the man with the demon are put right right together. These accounts strike a cord with us because they a echo in our own lives. We often find ourselves caught in a storm, often of our own making, and in a real sense the man with a demon is very much like you and I without Jesus.

An Jesus is Lord of all. He is Lord of the physical, the psychical and the spiritual. All of it. He has authority over all of the chaos. But the responses? Well, fear. Fear that led to acceptance and fear that led to rejection.

Mark's great 4th chapter is about the power of the words of God, but also about discipleship about those who hear the word and live accordingly. In rhetorical flourish, Mark gives us this dramatic scene of Jesus asleep in a boat where his disciples are full of fear because of the storm they find themselves in. And yet, with a word, he calms it. And then rebukes his disciples. Why? Because true faith in the God who will bring us to the other side gives courage not timidity.