There is no such thing as a dumb question. We’ve all heard that saying. I’ll leave it to you to determine the truthfulness of such a claim. But, there are times when what we think we know doesn’t seem to align with what we see around us. This seems to be particularly true with spiritual truths.
Such was the case with the disciples in the early days of Jesus’ ministry. These men obviously trusted the Lord Jesus since they had left jobs, families, and lives to follow this one who had called them. They must have believed to some degree that he cared for them.
The previous days had been filled with amazing teaching, healing of the sick, and the casting out of demons. But as this particular evening rolled around, they would be left asking Jesus, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing (Mark 4:38)?
A mighty storm rolled across the sea. The disciples must have felt like Gilligan aboard the S.S. Minnow. Jesus was asleep in the stern as great winds and waves of water came after the boat.
We know how this story ends. Jesus awakes and calms the storm. All those aboard are saved from perishing. But I want us to see that the fear experienced by the disciples could have been thwarted had they realized just a few things.
1. Jesus’ previous words should have calmed their fears.
The sea journey began with Jesus saying, Let us go across to the other side (Mark 4:35). When the storm appeared, they should have recalled his words about getting to the other side. For Jesus’ words to be true (and we know they are), getting to the other side was as good as done.
On one side of the sea stood Jesus and the disciples getting into a boat.
On the other side of the same sea was the location Jesus said they were going.
Nothing in the middle of the sea could change the outcome of Jesus’ words.
Remembering God’s promises to us will strengthen our faith when the storms surround us.
2. Jesus wasn’t worried.
Nope, Jesus was not the least bit concerned. He was calm enough to put his head on a pillow and go to sleep.
Sometimes I sleep when I am anxious. But it’s not because I am calm. It’s because I’ve worked myself up to the point of exhaustion. My body just shuts down and I sleep.
This was not the sleep of Jesus. He was not anxious about the storm. He knew the boat would carry him to the other side.
3. Jesus controls this world including nature.
Mark concludes this particular event by recording the disciples words, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him (Mark 4:41)?
These men learned something new about Jesus that evening. He is in control. Even of the most dire storms. Remember that several of these men had spent their lives on this same sea. Undoubtedly they had seen plenty of storms before this night. I’m not sure how many, if any, of those storms made them fear that they would perish.
Yet, no matter the severity of the storm, the wind and the sea must obey the voice of the Lord Jesus. He is the sovereign.
A Final Word
All that I have said above does not mean that you will not experience severe storms in your life. In fact, there may come a storm that puts an end to your life. The key for believers is to understand what God has promised us and cling with faith to that. God has not promised us a storm-free life. He has promised that if we are his, he will be with us to the other side of the river of death.
In February 1901 a Methodist minister, who was acquainted with grief, wrote these words found in the hymn,
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press,
And the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades
Into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief
There is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches
Till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?O yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary,
The long night dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Biblical Text
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”
36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
38 But he 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 awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
—Mark 4:35-41
Good word, Frank.
A needed reminder of God's care, but also something that I can't remember seeing anywhere else: a statement that He cares even if He allows the storm to take us under. This goes against the grain of our positive-thinking society, including much of our contemporary theology.
Blessings!
Mark