Jesus Calms the Storm
—Mark 4:35-41 Part 2
Here's some more to think about concerning the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41).
In Part 1 we saw the account of the storm on lake Galilee as not only a true real-life story in the life of Jesus, but also an analogy of our lives.
Mark 4:35-41
¶“35[Jesus had taught the people in parables.] On that day, when evening came, he said to his disciples, 'Let's cross over to the other side of the lake'. 36So they left the crowds and took Jesus away in the boat just as he was. Other little boats were also with him. 37A stormy wind arose, and waves drove into the boat. It was filling up. 38Jesus was in the stern where he had gone to sleep on a pillow. The disciples woke him and cried, 'Teacher! We are perishing! Don't you care?' ” (Mark 4:35-38).
¶“39Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still'. The wind stopped. There was complete calm. 40Then Jesus said to the disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Why have you got no faith?' 41But they were extremely scared. They said to one another, 'Who can he be that even the wind and waves obey him?' ” (Mark 4:39-41).
Jesus calming the storm on Galilee reminds us of three great truths...We have little security; we have little faith; we have little calm. Now, in Part 2, we see that Jesus Christ has the power to change little into much.
1 Christ Has Unlimited Power
- Jesus calmed the storm on Galilee immediately with three words: "Peace! Be still!"
- This total control of wind and waves was a marvelous demonstration of his power.
- He demonstrated his power many other times, most especially when he arose from the dead.
- Notice in passing that many people today claim supernatural power, but none has ever been able to say to a storm "Be still!" and have the wind and the waves obey.
2 Christ is a Man to be Feared
There in the boat on lake Galilee, the disciples were twice afraid.
- They were afraid when the storm threatened their lives (Mark 4:40).
- They were afraid when the storm ceased (Mark 4:41).
The second fear was the greater. It was also the most productive. As we think about how Jesus made the raging wind and waves obey his voice in Galilee, we are in awe of his unlimited power.
3 Christ is a Man Who Gives Peace
As we have already said, Jesus can offer us peace, Just as he gave his disciples peace on lake Galilee. From him we can receive "the peace of God which passes understanding" (Philippians 4:7).
He can bring peace to our inner person, peace between us and others, and even peace (reconciliation) between us and God (2Corinthians 5:18-21).