Jesus told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?” He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?” And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and sea obey Him!” Mark 4:35-41
My words…
I find it intriguing that the disciples were terrified both before and after You calmed the storm. Why didn’t their terror subside when the wind ceased and calm descended? Could it be they were terrified of You? Of Your power? It seems only natural that once they witnessed Your command over nature, they would feel as if they had been thrown into an alternate reality (without knowing what that meant). Some of them (fishermen) had already survived a healthy dose of Galilee Sea ruckus, knowing full well no one sleeps through it. Yet You slept…SOUNDLY! Wind and waves had not reacted to the human voice until they heard Yours. The Twelve had seen You heal humans, but “healing” a storm was too much for the disciples to take in, so they freaked. But I like to think of it as a holy terror. They weren’t afraid of You (well, maybe a little); they were slammed with the truth that You are more powerful than they had ever imagined. They could only exclaim, “Who is this guy?”
Prayer for me
I believe all Your followers have, at one time or another, posed the same question to You as the sea-soaked disciples: “Don’t You care? I’m in a bad way here.” It’s not a question of You caring. It’s a question of faith. And that’s my petition to You today. My faith is like an ivy vine, growing and winding through my every thought and action. But it’s a little droopy right now. Water it, Lord. Please.
Forgive me
I don’t see myself as a fearful person. But the few things that do frighten me are powerful. Forgive me when I allow fear to overpower my faith.
Prayer for others
Lord, today I pray You will calm the wind and sea for those who are caught in a storm. They’re frightened, and they don’t know where to turn. They don’t see You asleep in the boat. They don’t see you in the boat at all. Speak peace into their souls in a way that they will know it could only be You, the One whose voice the wind and sea obey.
More praise
Jesus, You had some really long days while You lived as a God-Man on earth. Weariness set in so deeply, You slept in a heaving boat while the waves crashed over the sides. That was the Man part. Although the disciples feared for their lives, You never felt a twinge of fear. That was the God part. Praise to You, the God who never feels fear but understands when I do.
