Mark 4:35-41 (New International Version, ©2010)
Jesus Calms the Storm
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
What's going on? (Who, what, when, where, why) Mark 4:35-41 (New International Version, ©2010)
Jesus Calms the Storm
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
The way I read it, this is the evening of the day that he taught the parable of the sower from the boat out on the lake. Jesus suggests going over to the other side of the lake (maybe to avoid being mobbed when he tried to disembark, who knows), and they left then and there, without making any preparations. Other boats came too--I had never really caught that before. I think in the past I usually thought of just the twelve disciples and the crowds--I didn't give much thought to the larger assembly of disciples that followed him around as well. But they were significant--in Jesus' time and in the early church.
A storm comes up, the boat (and probably the other boats) take on water, and the disciples wake Jesus up saying "Don't you care if we drown?" Notice that Jesus doesn't scold them for waking him up--it was a perfectly appropriate response to a crisis situation. He scolds them for being afraid, which betrayed a lack of faith. Jesus speaks to the wind and waves, they quiet down, and the disciples stop being afraid. Now, they're terrified. But they're terrified of the right person.
What's the main point?
I think the main point is that Jesus is Lord over creation. There is nothing outside his power.
How might this apply to my life?
Hoo boy. I don't know about you all, but I sometimes get worried and worked up about things. ;-) Actually, I think I'm improving in this area, but laying down worry is part of that ongoing surrender we need to practice in our walk with Christ. If we've surrendered our lives, circumstances, children, marriage, etc. to Christ, and we are trying to live how God has called us to live, and God truly is big enough to handle anything, then what are we worried about? Horrible things may happen--scripture is very clear on that--but horrible things happen anyway. God is in control, so there is no reason to live in fear.
As I am studying chapter 4 in Mark, I am in awe of how much information the Spirit has put in such a few verses. This last section, which is not really a parable, has some interesting details in it.
ReplyDeleteJesus calming the sea is not really a parable and yet it is included in with the parables by the chapter division. I know the divisions of chapter and verses were added later on for the ease of reading and finding verses, but it is an interesting fact nonetheless.
What is going on? Well, Jesus had just finished teaching in parables so that those who did not believe will not comprehend what He is teaching concerning the mystery of the kingdom of God. In the evening, Jesus says, “Let us pass over to the other side.” They send away the multitudes, and then they get into a boat. While on the sea, a great storm arises and water fills the ship. The disciples get afraid and go and wake the Lord because he is asleep on a pillow. They ask Him if He does not care that they perish. Then He speaks to the wind and tells the sea to be calm. He asks them why they are so fearful and how it is that they have no faith.
According to prophecy, the next thing on the time schedule that was laid out by the prophet Daniel is that last 70th week, the time of Jacob’s trouble. It is the 5th cycle in the 5th course of chastisement in Leviticus 26. I believe Jesus asked them why they had no faith because if they believed what the prophets had told them, they would know that God cares for them and will see them through the chastisement. ( Hebrews 12:5-8) The reason they are chastise is because He loves them. If you are not chastened then you are not sons (Hebrews 12:8) [sent away the multitude].
(1 Peter 5:7 KJV) Casting all your care upon him; FOR HE CARETH FOR YOU.
The disciples, when they woke Him, asked, “Don’t you care that we perish?” In Psalms 44, we something similar: (Psalms 44:23 KJV) Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
What is the significance of the sea? Jesus calming the storm, the next thing on the prophetic timetable is the chastening of Israel during the last 70th week of the time schedule given by Daniel. Revelation 13 shows that antichrist arising out of the sea. Those 7 years are going to be a terrible time for Israel because God is going to be purging the nation of those who do not believe (referring back to the gospel accounts of the branches that do not bear fruit are cast into the fire). The believing remnant needs to know that when the antichrist takes power and persecutes them that He still cares for them and they need to have faith in God’s word to them.
I think the main idea Mark is conveying is while we go through some terrible storms of life we need to know that God cares for us and we need to know that He will see us through the storm and we will make it to the other side as rely on Him.
(Psalms 89:9 KJV) Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. …(Psalms 89:18 KJV) For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
(Mark 4:41 KJV) And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
We ought not to fear the storm, but we ought to fear the one who can calm the storm. As we go through the trials and tribulations of this life, we ought to all the peace of God to keep our hearts and mind calm.
Philippians 4:6-7 KJV Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.