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!
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