“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:41b (ESV)
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. Mark 4:35-36 (ESV)
It really stands out to me that “they took him with them in the boat, just as he was.” I think I often try to make Jesus fit into my mold of what I want Him to be. Or worse, I don’t take Him with me at all. I don’t let Him in my boat, just go off doing life on my own, figuring I can handle whatever comes by myself.
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. Mark 4:37 (ESV)
This I can relate to. I may never have been out at sea when a storm rolls in, but I have felt like the winds of life are starting to blow at gale force. I’ve felt like the waves of expectations or obstacles are starting to overwhelm me. My boat of life is filling with the pressures and problems. I can’t see the way out of the torrent.
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?” Mark 4:38 (ESV)
I even get a little irritated at God sometimes that He is not rattled by my distress. Shouldn’t He exhibit some of the drama I feel. But no, He is peaceful and resting. Don’t You care, God?
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. Mark 4:39 (ESV)
As soon as they ask, He acts. As soon as we ask, He acts. Even though sometimes we ask in a spoiled rotten brat kind of a way. But why should He get all upset and throw a hissy fit? He is fully aware of the authority He has. He knows the storm has to obey His very command. The wind and the waves are all in a tempest until He speaks. At His words, suddenly the storm stills. Great calm instantly descends. This is what the word of God can be to our lives today. We have an entire book of storm-calming, drama-eliminating, “peace, be still” words from the Creator of the Universe waiting for us to open it and dive in.
He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:40 (ESV)
The disciples of Jesus have already seen miracle after miracle. They’ve seen His authority over illness, crippling deformities, demons, and the forgiveness of sins. A storm blows up and suddenly they forgot WHO they had in the boat. That is so me! Jesus sighs at us, shakes His head at our fear and lack of faith. Why should we fear? We know the One who has authority over all. We know The Storm Tamer.
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 4:41 (ESV)
In our lives today we need to realize that The Storm Tamer is in the boat with us. We have no reason to fear the tempests of life that feel so threatening in the moment because He can speak to the storm and it must obey His command.
Action Step: I don’t know about you, but I want to make sure Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible, the One with authority over all storms, is in the boat with me. Everyday, I want to connect with Him and keep Him in the center of my life. To ‘dive in’ to His word and fill my mind and heart with those words of authority and calm. When the winds start to blow and waves rise, I want the “Peace, be still” that comes when He is right there with me.
God, thank you that all authority belongs to You. Thank you that no matter what comes my way, your love is big enough to overcome my fear. Help me not to lose faith in You, but to turn to You immediately when pressures rise. In Jesus’ name, amen.
P.S. I just thought of a great song to go with this post.
You Make Me Brave by Bethel Music.
I stand before You now
The greatness of your renown
I have heard of the majesty and wonder of you
King of Heaven, in humility, I bow
As Your love, in wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us
Champion of Heaven
You made a way for all to enter in
I have heard You calling my name
I have heard the song of love that You sing
So I will let You draw me out beyond the shore
Into Your grace
Your grace
You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the love that made a way
You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the promises you made
As Your love, in wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us
Champion of Heaven
You made a way for all to enter in