Mark 4:35-41
Fear and Faith – Mk 4:35-41
At this point, the disciples should be recognizing that Jesus is the Son of God, Messiah and that He has come to establish His Kingdom with authority. In order to remove any doubt, Jesus provides some observable evidence that we can be fully confident that He is who He says He is.
35 On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.(NASB®)
Why did the disciples cross the lake?
After a day of teaching about the Kingdom, Jesus invites the disciples to cross the sea of Galilee in order to get to the other side. Requiring no preparations, He demonstrates a life being led by the Spirit.
Am I open to God’s invitation?
37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.(NASB®)
What happened on their journey?
While crossing the lake, a violent blast of wind erupted causing the waves to almost flood the boat. A short journey had quickly turned into a desperate situation.
Do I expect that a life with Jesus is going to be trouble free?
Do I expect being in God’s will equals comfort?
38 Jesus Himself 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?”(NASB®)
What was the disciples problem?
The storm was extreme enough to concern even experienced fishermen. The fact that Jesus could trust the Spirit’s leading sufficiently enough to catch some needed sleep, was lost on them. Jesus appeared indifference to the seriousness of their present circumstance, so they woke Him wondering if He really was God, why didn’t He do something.
Do I seek God only in times of trouble?
Do I measure God’s care for me by my circumstances?
39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. (NASB®)
What did Jesus do?
Awake, Jesus took immediate control and sternly corrected the wind and the waves demanding their silence and stillness. In obedience, there was an instant peace as the wind ceased and the sea absent of any motion.
Am I confident that God hears my cries?
Do I anticipate God to do more than I ask for his glory?
40 And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (NASB®)
What was the disciples new problem?
Their fear of the storm now a thing of the past, the disciples are now overwhelmed by the possibility that what Jesus has been claiming is indeed true. Jesus uses the miracle to highlight the fact that if they truly believed He was God, that He had chosen them, that He was going to fulfill His Father’s will, it would produce a trust that would extend beyond present trouble.
Do I know Jesus for who He really is?
Can I trust in Jesus regardless of the circumstances?