Peace in the Storm

Mark 4:35-41 tells us that after teaching on the shoreline Jesus said to His disciples. Let’s cross over the other side of the sea. So, they got into the boat and took Jesus with them as he was already in the boat, having used it to teach the large crowd on the shore.

Suddenly a great storm came upon the water and waves were breaking onto the boat and the boat was filling with water. Jesus was in the stern of the boat, asleep on a cushion.

Asleep? Asleep while the wind was howling, and the waves were crashing over the bow and filling the boat with water? Yes, He was asleep.

So, His disciples woke Him up saying “Teacher, do you not care that we are dying?”

Wow! What a statement to wake up to. Don’t You Care? Of course, He cared. They were afraid and he was calmly sleeping. They couldn’t understand this. These men were fishermen. They spent their life on the sea. They knew a fierce storm when they saw one. They knew the destruction one could cause. They knew death was at the door, they were afraid, but Jesus, the true source of hope was sleeping.

The disciples went to the right place with their fear. They went to the Source of peace and comfort. They knew He was trustworthy. But they didn’t understand why He was sleeping. They cried out, but in fear, not in faith.

They made an accusation; they did not listen for an explanation or action that would bring peace to the situation.

How like those disciples are we? What is the first thing you do when confronted with trouble, distress, or a storm? Who is the first person you go to? Do you make assumptions and accusations at the circumstances?

I think we do all these things.

Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind and the waves. He commanded; “Peace! Be Still!” At His Word, the wind and the sea became calm. He said to His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The greatest danger this night on this sea, was not the storm but the unbelief in the hearts of the disciples. The disciples were filled with fear but not with faith as they spoke to one another asking who this man was that even the wind and the sea (creation) obeyed Him.

There are at least two reasons Jesus could sleep on the boat in he middle of the storm. One is a human reason, the other divine.

The first reason is that Jesus had been teaching all day. His disciples were with Him and they had to know He was exhausted from a full day of teaching. Did Jesus know a storm was coming? Of course, He did. This is the second and most important reason Jesus was sleeping in the boat.

Jesus could sleep through the storm because he was truly secure in the will of God.

Jesus continued to teach His disciples; this time using a major visual aid, because he was truly secure in God. He knew the storm would not harm Him

His questioning of them upon waking is part of the lesson. What had they learned about Him? Had they learned anything at all? These questions are not just for the disciples, they are for you and me too. Jesus used this storm to demonstrate who He is. That He is the creator of the universe. God in the flesh. All creation obeys Him. Our desire should be to obey Him too.

What have your learned of Jesus? Do you know Him? Are you still fearful or do you rest in faith believing in His deity, sovereignty, and redemptive love?

All creation obeys Jesus, our Creator. How are you doing?

One thought on “Peace in the Storm”