In this story, Jesus has begun his ministry. He's already performed several miracles, including cleansing a leper, healing a paralytic, and healing the sick. He has called his 12 disciples to follow him, and is going through the land teaching. We will also read about the Sea of Galilee, which to put into perspective is 13 miles long and 7 miles wide according to one source.
On this day, as evening has come, Jesus said to them, "Come, let us go across to the other side." And they left the crowd and took him in the boat and went with him, just as he was. And there were other boats with him. And a great windstorm arose with waves breaking into the boat so bad that the boat was already filling with water. But Jesus was in the stern asleep on the cushion. The disciples woke him, and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind and the sea, "Peace! Be Still!" And the wind ceased and there was great calm. He then said to the disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
So here we are, the disciples are on a boat out at sea, with night approaching, in the middle of a nasty storm. How do you think they were feeling as all of this is going on? If it was me on a boat in a storm, I'd be pretty scared and trying to find a life jacket.
What are some of the things we see in the story and how do they apply to our lives today?
- Jesus said to the disciples, "Let us go across." He didn't send them across alone, or go alone and leave them on this side. Jesus went with the disciples, even in the face of approaching storms. Do you believe that Jesus walks with us today? God promised even in the Old Testament that he would never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:6), and he shows us that in this story.
- The disciples followed Jesus' instruction and did just as he asked, and the result of that was that they sailed right into a storm. We can be speculate what would have happened if they had refused to go across, or possibly taken a different path or time to cross the sea. But according to scripture they obeyed Jesus and wound up facing a storm. Have you ever done the right thing, or seen someone else doing what was right, only to be faced with trials and adversity? We can trust our Lord as we walk with him, even if it's into a storm.
- When the disciples faced the storm, they quickly turned to Jesus for help. But they questioned him saying, "Do you not care that we are perishing?" Could they have come to Jesus with a more humble approach? Or one knowing that he cared and just seeking his help? If someone came to you with an attitude of belittlement, how eager would you be to help them with their problem? For me, that doesn't get you on the top of my priority list very quickly. But Jesus showed great love and compassion for the disciples by fulfilling their request, and he still does the same for us today.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the truths you reveal to us in your word. Thank you for caring for us enough to send your son to walk with us here on earth, and die to conquer sin. Thank you for going into the storms with us. I pray for wisdom to know when and how to see you in the storms. And thank you for answering prayers and delivering us from the storms of this life. Help me to remember what you have done for me and already delivered me from, that my faith may be strong as I walk for you today. Amen.
This story can be read in Mark 4:35-41
On this day, as evening has come, Jesus said to them, "Come, let us go across to the other side." And they left the crowd and took him in the boat and went with him, just as he was. And there were other boats with him. And a great windstorm arose with waves breaking into the boat so bad that the boat was already filling with water. But Jesus was in the stern asleep on the cushion. The disciples woke him, and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind and the sea, "Peace! Be Still!" And the wind ceased and there was great calm. He then said to the disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
So here we are, the disciples are on a boat out at sea, with night approaching, in the middle of a nasty storm. How do you think they were feeling as all of this is going on? If it was me on a boat in a storm, I'd be pretty scared and trying to find a life jacket.
What are some of the things we see in the story and how do they apply to our lives today?
- Jesus said to the disciples, "Let us go across." He didn't send them across alone, or go alone and leave them on this side. Jesus went with the disciples, even in the face of approaching storms. Do you believe that Jesus walks with us today? God promised even in the Old Testament that he would never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:6), and he shows us that in this story.
- The disciples followed Jesus' instruction and did just as he asked, and the result of that was that they sailed right into a storm. We can be speculate what would have happened if they had refused to go across, or possibly taken a different path or time to cross the sea. But according to scripture they obeyed Jesus and wound up facing a storm. Have you ever done the right thing, or seen someone else doing what was right, only to be faced with trials and adversity? We can trust our Lord as we walk with him, even if it's into a storm.
- When the disciples faced the storm, they quickly turned to Jesus for help. But they questioned him saying, "Do you not care that we are perishing?" Could they have come to Jesus with a more humble approach? Or one knowing that he cared and just seeking his help? If someone came to you with an attitude of belittlement, how eager would you be to help them with their problem? For me, that doesn't get you on the top of my priority list very quickly. But Jesus showed great love and compassion for the disciples by fulfilling their request, and he still does the same for us today.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the truths you reveal to us in your word. Thank you for caring for us enough to send your son to walk with us here on earth, and die to conquer sin. Thank you for going into the storms with us. I pray for wisdom to know when and how to see you in the storms. And thank you for answering prayers and delivering us from the storms of this life. Help me to remember what you have done for me and already delivered me from, that my faith may be strong as I walk for you today. Amen.
This story can be read in Mark 4:35-41
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