Today we’re studying Mark 4:35-41, the famous story where Jesus calms the storm. So far we’ve seen the miraculous power of Jesus in several ways; today we’re adding to the list – his authority over creation itself (“nature miracle”)!
“Fear is an automatic emotion that helps our conscious be vigilant about our safety. Anxiety is a reaction to fear (or other emotion).”
- How do you react to fear? Faith or anxiety, worry.
The Storm
Mark 4:35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
Seas, ocean, waters represent a powerful and scary place that can cause pain and death. Uneasy. Wavy. Fear.
In OT theology, the fallenness of creation is symbolized by the powerful forces of the
sea, the primeval “deep” characterized by chaos. ZECNT
We ought to contemplate our lives, sin, inner evil hearts.
Storms are instructors, discipline masters.
God brings us to and through storms. Tests our faith.
1 Peter 1:7 NLT These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Examples of storms in everyday life:
- Marriage and family problems, financial issues, addiction, physical ailments, mental and emotional disorders, accidents, natural disasters, spiritual warfare.
We need to look at life’s storms not as disasters, but as opportunities to see God’s transforming power at work in our lives.
This story tells us that Jesus sent them across knowing this would happen.
“Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”
What was on the other side? You’ll have to stay with us next week to hear about the demon possessed man they encounter but I believe these stories are related. Remember there were no chapter breaks and verse numbers in the original text. We added those for navigation purposes.
Rude Awakening
Mark 4:38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
God sleeps? Jesus is both God and man. Only God can command the wind and waves (Red Sea) and yet God doesn’t sleep (Psalm 121:3-4). Man, on the other hand, gets tired and needs rest. Jesus was tired from working all day.
The disciples were rude and down right unfaithful in their questioning of Jesus.
Jesus was gracious with his power! He uses his authority not to judge but to save!
God hears your prayers, even in your frantic fear and unfaithfulness.
Psalm 107:29 ESV Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed 30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
Another time when Jesus called his first disciples he performed the miracle with the fish net being so overloaded it was tearing. They hadn’t caught anything all day. Jesus says to throw it one more time. After seeing Jesus’ power and authority, Peter repented and fell down in humility. This is the right response to a gracious and powerful God!
Luke 5:8 ESV But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
Jesus has authority over nature itself…. Hardest miracle for skeptics to believe?
Storms will come; calm comes through Jesus. Jesus was calm even through the storm – took a nap! He wasn’t worried.
Faith Over Fear
Mark 4:40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
The disciples’ fear revealed their lack of faith. They still weren’t close enough to him in relationship and trust to really know who he is. He is good! Loving and kind.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
The bible says “Do not fear” 365 times. That’s one verse a day every year as a reminder. (Only worry on leap year is fine LOL)
Two rhetorical questions are asked, one about their fear (or cowardice; δειλοί) and one about their lack of faith. The two go hand in hand. Followers of Jesus need boldness in the face of life’s challenges and trust in God’s ability to bring them through. ZECNT
The disciples had seen so many miracles up to this point that they should have trusted. We too should always fall back on our initial faith moments and the things God has done in our lives when the darkness and the storms come.
The disciples have just been presented as the “insiders,” the recipients of the secrets of the kingdom of God (4:11). Yet they will repeatedly waiver and fail. Mark’s gospel is not a call to emulate the disciples, but to follow Jesus and to align one’s life with God’s kingdom purposes. ZECNT
We can have peace even during the turbulence. God doesn’t always quiet the waves.
Easy to trust God in the sunshine or on dry ground. Fear God the Creator not creation!
Faith = trusting He’s in control when I’m not
Faith = fear of the Lord
Anxiety = fear of the storm
Jesus is the God who will save you through the storms!
Psalm 46:1-3 ESV God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam,though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Psalm 46:10 ESV “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
“Who is this man?” He is God. He is good. Through much pain and trial, Jesus secured our salvation. This was good! He did not try to skate by the hard times but rather was our example of enduring with faith and trust in God whose will is good. His suffering brings us peace. He is God who will deliver you and me through to the other side of this life while giving us peace in the storms.
