An Incredible Moment in a Storm (Mark 4:35-41)

This takes place in a boat on the Sea of Galilee with Jesus fast asleep when a storm arises. Not just any storm. The Sea of Galilee is really a large lake roughly 13 miles long and 7 miles wide. However, it is 150 feet deep. Being 680 feet below sea level doesn't help either when you have mountains surrounding the area. Sudden storms can appear with little or no warning causing the waves to become quite large (up to 20 foot waves) and violent. The disciples were very experienced fishermen and had fought storms before but this one must have been quite frightening to them. While they were panicking Jesus was sleeping, quite soundly, I might add. I know one reason He was at peace was He knew how and when He would die...it wasn't going to be in a boat on a stormy sea.

I find it interesting that they called Him Teacher (Greek for the Hebrew Rabbi) when they truly had no clue, no understanding at this point of His teaching. Jesus wakes and "rebuked" (lit., "ordered") the wind and then said to the waves, "Be silent! Be muzzled and remain so!" What intrigues me is the verb, "be muzzled," because it is kind of a 'technical' term for dispossessing a demon of his power (look at Mark 1:25). Maybe Jesus recognized demonic powers behind the ferocious storm. We don't know, but we do know that with His command the wind stopped and the lake was completely calm.

In my mind, I would think the disciples felt they had good reason to be fearful. They truly felt they were going to die during the storm. Yet Christ rebuked them for being afraid. Not just any fear...they had 'cowardly fear.' It is a fear that immobilized them.

Now, look back at Mark 4:11 and then read the verse right before this passage, Mark 4:34. Christ had been teaching them, explaining "the mystery of the kingdom of God," and "He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples." We are talking 'private tutor' here, ladies. I know I learn better in a very small group where I can ask questions etc rather than a large group. But after all of His teaching they did not grasp that God's authority and power were present in Jesus!!! Which led to Christ's second question, "Do you still have no faith?" By Christ stilling the storm He was doing something only God had the authority to do. Regardless, if I saw a man controlling nature with nothing but His voice I would be terrified too. I believe the verb for "terrified" is "have awe." It forces one to take action. If I understand correctly, it refers to a reverence that overtakes a person in the presence of supernatural power (kind of like when the women fled the tomb after the angel spoke to them). Even with all the disciples did know, and with all they had seen already, they still did not fully comprehend the significance of it all, hence, the question, "Who is this?"

How do I make application in my life? I see three principles when we go through the storms of life.

1. Look at His example a) His fatigue b) His faith
2. Listen to His encouragement which is in His power. Be a spectator of the power of God working.
3. Learn from His exhortation a) fear b) faith

So often our own nature meets a storm where we feel God can't or won't work. Now, that is a lie. When we truly understand who God is we will realize that He controls both the storms of nature and whatever storm may be brewing within our human hearts. No matter what our anxiety is there are only two responses for us. You can turn toward Christ, trusting Him to calm the troubled seas of your life or you can panic and turn away from the Lord to go it on your own. I'll guarantee, if you take the second choice of going it alone, the outcome will not be as good as if you had turned to Him. Guaranteed!

God is sovereign. He controls the history of the world along with our personal destinies. He can certainly calm any storm we may face.