Mark 4:35-41
v38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
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v40-1 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
First reflections …
Read Mark 4:35-41 and imagine yourself stepping into the boat, feeling the wind gently tugging at your clothes, the warm sun on your face.
But then imagine your shock and spiralling panic as the sun is quickly obscured by storm clouds. The rising swell means you cannot stand up safely; you’re drenched again and again as waves crash over you.
Yet Jesus sleeps in the stern.
"Jesus! Don't you care that we're going to drown?"
Q: What is God saying to you in your reaction to this scary situation?
There are times when life can take a sudden turn. One moment the sun is shining, life is good - all is plain sailing - and then suddenly... WHAM! We feel the shock of a cold wave slapping us in the face! How we deal with such things, how we cope - if indeed we can - varies not on our level of faith necessarily, but often on our resilience.
when waves threaten to capsize the boat, what is your greatest fear?
Matthew, Mark and Luke all give accounts of this episode. You can read them in Mt8:23-27; Mk4:35-41; & Luke 8:22-25. While each are similar, there are some subtle contrasts.
All three gospels agree to the furiousness of the sudden storm/ squall. Such storms were common on this fresh-water inland lake a little more than 12 miles long and 7 miles wide, indeed they still are today. https://www.saxum.org/the-storms-at-the-sea-of-galilee/
And all three gospels agree that Jesus was asleep as they sailed out into the lake.
But the gospel writers offer slight variances in their descriptions of the faith, fear and awe of the disciples towards Jesus' actions and inactions.
While in Matthew and Mark the disciples are described as being afraid, cowardly, timid - the Greek word deilos - and also oligopistos - of little faith - Luke describes them as oupō pistis. Oupō meaning not yet, still not; not ever, and pistis - faith, faithfulness, belief, trust (with an implication that actions based on that trust may follow).
Do you not yet have faith in me? Will you ever have faith/trust enough to act on my behalf, to action the kingdom of heaven here on earth?
And yet I don't hear rebuke in Jesus' words. Despair maybe, disappointment perhaps, but not admonishment or reprimand.
Jesus wants them - wants us - to succeed; to have confidence in him and in our own abilities. There may be anxiety, worry even, but we should never have to live in fear when Jesus is there in the boat with us.
Even when dozing, Jesus has more power at his fingertips than we can ever fully understand or imagine. He may not choose to stop storms from happening around us - much though we might wish he would!
"In this world you will have trouble." Jesus tells us in John 16:33 "But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He reassures us. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace." Peace in the middle of the storm. Peace in the knowledge we are ultimately safe in Jesus' arms.
Going deeper …
Why not spend some time now reading the gospel accounts of Jesus calming the storm? In a place of quiet reflection, perhaps ask yourself these questions:
When have you been afraid, or when has your faith has been tested recently?
Have you ever felt let down by Jesus? How was the matter resolved?
When have you been amazed by Jesus’ supernatural power?
You may find watching/listening to this music video helpful: https://youtu.be/Q9JUtwgSxuM
Remember God's ultimate plan is for us to never live in fear. Through his Holy Spirit we may be set free, to be children of the Most High God.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” [Romans8:15]