When Jesus calms the storm in Mark, the saga just begins. There are several areas of study in this Bible lesson. So, we will look at a couple today.
“Be Still” – Simple Words with Powerful Results
Asleep in the boat, the frightened disciples who are caught in a terrible squall, wake Jesus .
He simply says; “Be still!” – and the storm calmed.
This miracle is amazing in itself, don’t you agree? But, as we study this lesson we find there may be more to this storm than appears on the surface.
When the Storm Came – Jesus Calms the Storm in Mark 4
“On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.
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.
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?”
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.
And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” – Mark 4:35-41 NASB
How Jesus Calmed the Storm
First, the disciples were dealing with a real storm. The waves crashed over their boat. And, even though they were experienced fishermen, this particular storm scared them immensely!
Jesus, on the other hand, intended to sleep through it all. So, He remained perfectly calm during their panicky situation.
What About When the Storms Come to Us?
What does this tell us about Christ? Don’t we sometimes have “squalls” in our lives?
My pastor has said many times; “You may be on the mountain today, but the valley can come at any time.” So, we need to trust in God to take care of us – good times or bad.
What is really bothering you right now?
Did you know that Jesus can calm your “storm” just as He calmed the Sea of Galilee?
A Question of Faith
The disciples did not have enough faith.
And, they were slow to respect just how much power Jesus had in their lives.
Let’s not make the same mistake by trying to assume what Christ can or cannot do for us.
The next time you find yourself in a life crisis, trust that Jesus has enough power to handle it – and to calm your panic …
He Does!
Side Note: Something else of interest in this story of Jesus calming the sea brings a new twist to what we have just read in Mark 4.
If you read further into Chapter five of Mark, you’ll find that Jesus healed a demon possessed man on the other side of the lake. This happened just after the storm.
Some Biblical scholars believe the same demon may have come out to try to intercept Jesus in the middle of the lake, thus causing the storm.
This may have some warrant if you consider the violent nature of this particular storm.
When Christ said “Quiet! Be still!“, He could have just as well be talking to the demon and not the wind. You don’t have to agree with this theory of course. But, it gives us something to ponder, don’t you think?
Love in Christ
– Bob
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