Scripture
Jesus Calms the Storm
35As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38Jesus 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?”
39When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39
If there is one thing the Coronavirus pandemic has taught us, it is that we are not immune to the storms that this life brings. Each and every person on the planet, in large or small ways, has been affected in some way. Suddenly our confidence in our stable health, secure jobs, strong relationships, and more was shaken in ways we never could have expected. The pandemic has shattered an illusion of security that many of us have lived with. The truth is, we all will face storms in life. We are facing one now. The question we must ask now is, how will we respond to these storms?
Jesus' disciples certainly learned that they were not immune to the storms of life that arise. Mark 4 tells the story of a literal storm that Jesus and His disciples faced one day while on a boat in the Sea of Galilee. The storm they faced that day became so brutal, and the winds were so strong that the disciples thought they were going to die. They were panicking. What was Jesus doing during this time? Verse 38 tells us that He was asleep. What a difference between Jesus' reaction and His disciples' reaction! Why do you think Jesus was asleep? I'm convinced that Jesus knew He had power over the storm and therefore had nothing to worry about. Eventually, the disciples woke Him up and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?" (verse 38). Can you relate to that question? I certainly can. In my storms, I have asked God, "Don't you care?" Maybe you have, too. If you can relate to this question, find encouragement in Jesus' response to His disciples. After His disciples asked if Jesus cared about the storm, He woke up and said to the wind and waves, "Silence! Be still!" (verse 39). At His command, the storm stopped. Everything was suddenly calm.
What strikes me about this story in Mark 4 is what Jesus said to His disciples when the storm had passed. They had previously asked Him the question, "Don't you care?" In response, Jesus asked them a question, "Do you still have no faith?" (verse 41). This verse makes it clear that our response to our storms is directly related to our faith. If we have faith, we can have peace. If we don't have faith in Him, we will panic.
My friend, in the storms of life that you are facing, where is your faith? Are you trusting God even in the eye of the storm, or are you lacking faith? I urge you, hold on to your faith. Trust God, even when life feels out of control. After all, Jesus is the One who controls the winds and waves.
Moving Toward Action
What storm are you facing in your life right now? Maybe you are struggling with your finances or with your health. Maybe you have felt your strong relationships drift away as stay at home orders continue to be in place. Pray about this storm you are facing. Ask God for confidence and boldness as you seek to trust Him even in your storm.
Going Deeper
Read Mark 4:35-41 (NLT)
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