2/11/25 Bible Thought

Great Windstorm, Great Calm, Great Fear

Mark 4 contains one of my favorite narratives within the Gospels where Jesus calms the storm on the Sea of Galilee. After a long day of teaching a crowd from a boat (Mk. 4:1) Jesus and His disciples prepare to go over to the other side of the lake (Mk. 4:35). One problem: a cataclysmic storm was on the way that would result in their boat filling with water and nearly sinking (Mk. 4:37).

What I find so fascinating about this story, is that four of Jesus’ main guys were professional fisherman who made their living on that same sea. Apparently, this was no ordinary storm. These guys were used to waves and wind and rocking boats, but this storm brought incredible panic. We can certainly liken it to a stewardess on a plane freaking out. Personally, I don’t like flying and have very little desire to fly again. I prefer to stay on the ground. However, I do remember when we hit some turbulence the last time that I flew that the calm presence of the employees on the plane was a source of reassurance. To me, it felt dangerous. It felt out of the norm. It felt like we might be reaching for the emergency gear. But those with experience knew this was to be expected and even if it was bad, it wasn’t so bad that they lost their cool. Certainly, if they would’ve lost their minds while I was on the plane my nerves would have shot through the roof.

Jesus and His disciples are all in a somewhat small fishing vessel traversing this familiar sea, and the professionals amongst the rest are all losing their minds. But what is the Lord Jesus doing? He’s taking a nap. The boat is literally filling with water, and Jesus is getting some shut-eye! We must remember that Jesus would’ve known what they were getting into. Surely, He knew of the coming storm, and decided to take a nap anyways. How could He do this? He had an unmatched trust in the Father. Jesus Himself had taught that God watches over even the sparrow (Matt. 10:29). If God cares about something as insignificant as a little bird, Jesus concludes, “even the hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matt. 10:30). Jesus knew that His life was safe until the moment that the Father had ordained. He could walk, live, and even sleep in perfect trust and therefore perfect peace, no matter the chaos that was happening around Him.

The disciples, in the face of death, had forgotten all about this. They wake Jesus with a question posed nearly as an accusation, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mk. 4:38). Does Jesus care? That was the question. Not is Jesus able to get me out of this, but does He care? Does God see the trials of our lives? Is He aware or ignorant? If He’s aware, does He even care? The same Peter who amongst the disciples in a moment of panic accused the Lord Jesus in this story would later say that we can cast all our anxieties and worries upon the Lord, “because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).

When Jesus awakes, He rebukes the winds and waves and there was a great calm (Mk. 4:39). Then, He rebukes the disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mk. 4:40). It’s interesting to consider that the disciples had a real problem on their hands. It wasn’t manufactured. It wasn’t small. Their boat was literally filling with water and going to sink! Jesus knew about the whole scenario before He ever laid His head on the cushion, and it became a great object lesson to the disciples on the supernatural power of the Messiah and also His loving care for them. They knew Jesus could do something, they just didn’t know what. They weren’t sure what to do but to cry out to the Lord Jesus for help. One scholar has said, “But clearly they have already been with Jesus long enough to take it for granted that he will have the solution to a problem beyond their control.”^[1]

Even with this, His control over nature was greater than they expected. The Savior we serve has no limitations to His power and authority. He rules over nature for He Himself fashioned it. Through Him the Father made the world, and by Him the whole universe is upheld (see Heb. 1:2-3). This same Savior cares for us. The question we are struck with then, is, “Do I trust Him?” In the midst of life’s struggles and sorrows, its fears and uncertainties, let’s remember the hymn-writer’s words, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”