1 June 2022 - Jesus Calms the Storm

Mark 4:35-41 (NLT) “As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 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?” 39 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. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

We read in this passage that a fierce storm came up. Maybe you are experiencing a fierce storm in your life. In this passage we that the storm was clamed down. This brief story contains powerful lessons for how we can not only survive the storms of life, but even be better off because of them:

Remember the promise. The story begins with Jesus saying, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake” (v. 35). If the disciples had been paying attention, they would have noticed Jesus’ resolve to bring them over.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV) “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Luke 1:45 (NIV). “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Leave the crowd behind - In fact, verse 36 describes the disciples “leaving the crowd behind…” Faith is going to the other side of the lake. Staying with the crowd, not taking any risks, will lead to stagnation. We will never make a significant impact if we refuse to take risks and venture out into the deeper waters.

Make sure you have Jesus in your boat. - If you’re going through a storm, it sure is good to have Jesus in the boat with you. It’s fascinating that “there were also other boats with him” Jesus was only in the one boat, but other boats were following along nearby. When you’re going through rough waters, you don’t just want Jesus outside your boat—you desperately need Him on the inside.

It is all about Faith - After Jesus calmed the storm, He asked His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (v. 40).

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”