Mark 4:35-41 Do You Have Faith?

Mark 4:35-41  That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him 

along, just as he was, in the boat.  There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  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?”  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”  They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” 

There were at least four commercial fishermen in that storm-stressed boat, and of course in that ancient culture many men fished, so the boat was probably full of experienced fishermen.  Yet, regardless of their personal experiences with boats and water, these men were fearing the immediate capsizing of their boat because of the fierceness of the squall.  They definitely were in fear of drowning.  This maelstrom of wind and rain brought them to a sleeping Jesus with a frantic question: Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?  Of course, Jesus, the carpenter by training and experience, was definitely not the most experienced fisherman in that boat, but the disciples realized if anyone had an answer to their dire circumstance, it would be Jesus.  Jesus awakes; He comes to their aid by rebuking the wind and calming the waves: “Quiet! Be still!”  He then inquires of them why they were so afraid and why they still had no faith.  Of course, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, understood why they were afraid and why they actually possessed little or no faith in God even though this was not the first time they had seen him use power from on high.  They should have remembered when He was teaching in the synagogue and a demon possessed man came and spoke to him, and Jesus dealt with him as easily as He stilled the storm: “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”  The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.  (Mark 1:25-26)  Although they had seen Jesus heal Simon's mother-in-law who was sick with a fever, deliver a paralyzed man, and heal many others who were demon possessed or ill with various diseases, they lacked faith in this situation.   Jesus knew that in the midst of the storm, they were driven by their human instincts, including their fear of death.     

As we view this account today as born again Christians, we realize that in similar difficult circumstances, we often respond in the same unbelieving manner as Christ's disciples who were in the boat that day.  Even though our confession is that Jesus Christ loves us with an everlasting love and that we are safe in his presence, we still often function as if He is not in the boat.  When times of stress hit us, we many times revert back to fear and anxiety.  Then the peace of God that passes all understanding flees from our souls.  We are found not as Jesus sleeping soundly in faith when the fierceness of the wind and waves are beating upon our existence.  Instead, this awful turbulence siphons off the faith within us.  Our hearts tremble with fear, for the storm seems to be too great.  Even thought theologically, we know Jesus is supposedly in the boat, this fact is head knowledge rather that heart confidence.  We have often in the past affirmed this belief by singing songs and making statements about Jesus' faithfulness and goodness to those who love him.  But under duress and trying circumstances, our minds become confused; our faith becomes anemic and powerless.  Fearing that God is not with us, that Jesus is sleeping and not concerned about our dire circumstances, we forget that He promised He would never leave us or forsake us.  Sadly, the message of the still small voice of the Spirit is overridden by or own hysteria, doubt, and anxiety.  We are exactly as the foolish man Jesus described: But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.  (Matthew 7:26-27)  When we have no sure foundation of faith, when our lives are not built upon the solid Rock Christ Jesus, we cannot withstand the storms of life.  This is when Jesus asks us: Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”  

Looking at this universal story of facing the storms of life, we clearly see Jesus IS IN THE BOAT.  He is with the disciples; they are not alone.  We also should always be cognizant we are never alone without God's presence. But what about him coming to our aid?  What about him waking up and calming the storm?  Jesus said, Why are you so afraid?  Don't you realize God is with you whether you go down or not?  Why do you think I am sleeping?  I know whatever the circumstances are, I am resting in God's hands for I am HIS child.  Do you still have no faith that you are his child?  Do you still not realize He is the creator of all things and you rest in his hands. We know and believe his Word and we agree with Paul's statement to the church in Rome: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28)  What a challenge Jesus presents the disciples that day in the boat.  These disciples who will all be martyred except John needed to know Jesus is always in the boat, always with them regardless of whether they go down in the deepest part of the sea or whether the seas become as calm as glass.  My friends, do we have this steadfast faith?  Faith is knowing that God is with us regardless.  Faith is not the rescuing ingredient in every situation.  Faith is believing in God's goodness and protection in any circumstances, in any outcome.  Yes, God answers prayer; He does respond to frantic requests, but God is in control with his own agenda for his beloved children.  He loves us, He restores us, He keeps us; but it is all according to his ETERNAL WILL, not our will.  At the end of Matthew, we read this beautiful commission along with a precious promise that is the key to faith that lasts: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  (Matthew 28:18-20)  Bless you as you go out in faith today, dear ones! 

Mark 4:26-32 The Kingdom of God Within You

Mark 4:26-32  He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like.  A man scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.  All by itself the soil produces grain — first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.  As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”  Jesus asked, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?  It is like a tiny mustard seed.  Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter.” 

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the Kingdom of God come?"  Jesus replied, "The Kingdom of God isn't ushered in with visible signs.  You won't be able to say, 'Here it is! or 'It's over there!'  For the Kingdom of God is within you."  (Luke 17:21-22)   

What is the kingdom of God like in you?  Is it as Jesus describes, a seed growing in God's kingdom daily, whether you are asleep or awake?  Are you becoming more like Jesus?  Are you ready to be harvested in the FULL IMAGE OF GOD?  The Bible often talks about Christians maturing, developing into the fullness of Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit.  By faith we have received the seed of the Good News of the gospel.  The Holy Spirit has planted the seed in good soil and nurtured it as we yield to the Lord and follow his leading.  By faith IN CHRIST we live.  As Christians, we no longer live by the constructs of this world, according to our natural human intellect.  We live and breathe according to the eternal realities of heaven where Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father.  We don't strive to win the world, for this world is no longer our prize: we seek to please God and look to our everlasting home.  We do not center our thoughts on this world, but on the world to come.  As Paul wrote to the church in Colosse:  

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.  Let heaven fill your thoughts.  Do not think only about things down here on earth.  For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.  (Colossians 3:1-4)  Since Paul fully embraced these truths, he could write to the churches as a spiritual father who encouraged them to grow in faith regardless of his circumstances.  While he was in prison, uncertain of his future on this Earth, he could say, 

But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you.  And you should be happy about this and rejoice with me.  (Philippians 2:17-18)  

Is this the faith we embrace?  Are we developing: 

first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head?  Are our roots going down deep within the Lord?  Are our lives so submerged in God that we are developing in every hour of our existence?  The Bible indicates strongly that we must remain in faith, and we must willingly allow the Holy Spirit to have control in our lives.  While we walk this Earth, we depend upon the Spirit to give us life and light.  We know that because of God's work in us we have confidence, and we walk by faith, not by sight.  (2 Corinthians 5:7)  The Holy Spirit is the indwelling living water that allows the Kingdom of God to develop richly in our lives.  He is the Great Counselor, the Comforter, the Guide--the One who will lead us home.  Through his presence, we grow in strength, power, and best of all in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  His presence also flows out of us to the surrounding community of unbelievers, those He has called us to love and to serve.  Others see Christ in us as the Holy Spirit makes us more conformable to the image of Christ.  But all of this wonderful development of the kingdom of God requires our willingness to follow God in everything we do.  And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him.  Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught.  Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.  (Colossians 2:6-7)   T

he Holy Spirit, changes our ways of thinking.  We become as God is if we continue to live set apart unto the Lord, trusting in God's life in us.  If we remain IN HIM, believing and acting upon his words wholeheartedly, He provides us his eternal peace that passes all our understanding.

How do we know the kingdom of God within is taking over our lives?   When we truly yield to our Lord, our lives will reveal the riches of God's mercy and the depths of his loving kindness.  Going back to Paul's message to the church at Colosse, he went on to say, 

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  (Colossians 3:12-17) 

 People immersed in the grace of God love unconditionally.  They are tenderhearted, merciful, kind, humble, gentle, and patient.  Longsuffering will stand as an emblem of their character.  Ambassadors of God's kingdom make allowances for each other's faults and readily forgive the persons who offend them.  Abundant love flows from all of their relationships.  When we fully display these attributes without doubt or fear, the peace of God will dwell in us regardless of the circumstances in this world.  When the seeds of faith are placed emphatically IN THE GOOD GROUND OF JESUS IN US AND NURTURED WITH ENDURING HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, others will come and find rest sheltered under our branches because we will grow strong and tall in the Lord.  Bless you dear readers.  We know the desire of your hearts is to grow in the Lord.  Remember the words of Jesus when He said, 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (John 13:34-35)