Mark 4:35-40 - Jesus Ceases a Storm

Mark 4:35-40
35 On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. 40 And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Message: Jesus Ceases a Storm

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

This has been a comprehensive chapter, Mark 4, on the subjects of parables and their importance and significance in Jesus' ministry as he uses these stories to provide us with lessons he wants us to communicate. The most basic of which, the parable of the sower, leads off the chapter and is explained further, about the type of people or soil and surfaces that will receive the Word from God and how those people respond or not. Then there is a clear responsibility that the good soil recipients have to this planting and receiving of the Word, to live it out all the time realizing that God is in control and He takes care of the outcomes. We focus on the presentation, he takes care of the outcome. Our growth in the body is often slow and gradual but He is always working. Eventually, there will be huge dividends, far greater than anything we could ever realize or see. He is in control and He is working through His people.

Mark now in these verses - 35-40 -- retells an account he has heard from an eyewitness. (1) Peter was there and this is conveyed by the detail given (other boats were with Him, a fierce gale of wind, Jesus in the stern, asleep on the cushion).  (2) The storm itself was violent and significant. At least 4 of the disciples were fishermen by trade and had spent considerable time at sea, on the water and yet were nervous for their life (do you not care that we are perishing?). (3) Despite what they have seen by Christ thus far, overcoming demon possession and caring for the sick, they wonder still of his power, witnessed by their words (Why are you afraid?). Yet, I am no different. Despite what he has done in my life, I stare too often at my life, others, circumstances, and new situations and think, somehow that he isn't in control.

This is more about simply calming a storm. This is about our lives, that we bring before the Lord continually. We come to him and he rescues us from our eventual death, sealing us with Him for all time, giving us the assurance that we will live for eternity with Him (I John 5:11-12). He succeeds in our eternity, so we can now also see that he will succeed in our live on earth. He has already tried to comfort us with the knowledge that He is in control and will take care of the outcomes of our lives: the harvest will come (v. 29), the mustard seed will grow beyond our wildest dreams (v. 32), so however violent storms occur in our lives, He is there. He calms the storms. He rescues us from the perils of life. He brings peace to us.

This doesn't always mean that we win the game. In sports we consider the outcome of the game and that the winner walks off with complete peace, God does not work in this way. There is peace no matter the outcome, because He is in control of it. We can submit and surrender to Him and then He will give us strength through the outcome. Yes Jesus calms the storm, but He also makes a point that we need to have faith through the storms. Storms of life will continue. Things will happen in life we don't like and don't always understand, but Jesus tells us to continue to have faith. Faith needs to be present in our life no matter what comes our way. 

Promise: Our salvation is not based on the power of our faith but on the power of our omnipotent Savior. In this message, the power of the storm being calmed did not wait for the disciples to respond correctly. God resulted in His outcome no matter what. He isn't waiting for me, but Oh, how I want to walk with him in obedience.

Prayer: Lord, I do not want people around me to see unbelief in my eyes or worry or panic. Situations of life are unfortunate at times and uncertain, but I can still remain confident that you are working and teaching me. I want to roll with the punches and trust that You are calming the storm. Help me not to define what the outcome should be. You have grown me this far and you will continue to grow me. I want to be greater than these responses by the disciples. You have given me the Holy Spirit and so I do have the means to be greater in my response. Walk with me today Lord. I need your strength. I need Your power. I need You. Oh Lord, I need you.