Mark 4:40-41, “But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Matthew 8:23-27, Luke 8:22-25, and Mark 4:35-41, have the same report of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee, which is known for its sudden violent storms. The disciples and Jesus were together in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus said, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Mark 4:35-39. Jesus was asleep in the stern, the back part of the boat, sleeping on a pillow, as he had just spent time teaching the disciples off the shore from this boat. Jesus was weary and needed rest, and He told them to cross the lake in the boat. Next time you feel totally exhausted remember Jesus can relate to you, due to His humanity. Then a furious storm arose, and these experienced fishermen knew they were in trouble as the waves beat into the ship and was filling the boat with water (Mark 4:37). “Jesus had taught about His Word, and had given His word that the disciples would make it to the other side. But whether regarding a promise Jesus gave to His disciples, or one He gives to you, after teaching comes testing. Always.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary New Testament. Something to remember.
The disciples were annoyed that Jesus was sleeping and not helping them during the storm. How would you react knowing that Jesus was in your boat? I think I would urgently wake Him up too. The storm didn’t disturb Jesus, but the unbelief of His disciples did because they shouted to Him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Mark 4:38b NLT. That was the issue.
There were other boats around them as well, “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. Jesus subdued the force of the sea and the storm by His sovereign word of authority, which is His deity. Then Jesus chastises the disciples and says, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” “It was not their fear of the storm that made Jesus say they had no faith. A small boat in a big storm is a scary place, and the initial fear itself isn’t wrong. What the disciples chose to do with the fear made all the difference.” David Guzik, Blue Letter Bible Commentary. Jesus had told them they were to cross over to the other side of the lake, so in this situation, they did not believe His promise. At this pivotal time, they still did not understand who Jesus was.
Don’t we often face the same situation? God has performed miracles in our lives, much as He had done that the disciples had witnessed firsthand, and yet when troubles come, we get discouraged, maybe fearful, have wrong thinking, and we are afraid our boat is going down too. We must remember that Jesus is working behind the scenes and knows the big picture. We can only see what is right before us. We need to trust in God’s promises as we have the reassurance of Hebrews 13:5, that He will never leave us or abandon us. Romans 8:28 declares He will work out everything together for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purpose for them. God has begun a good work in you as Philippians 1:6 promises that He will continue His work and complete it. So, remember, your boat cannot go down because Jesus is on board! Get to know Him better. That is where your hope lies.
Listen to Songs of Wisdom, His Grace Will Carry You (Official Lyric Video).