Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Micah 6-7
     New Testament Reading: Mark 4

On that day, when evening had come, he told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” So they left the crowd and took him along since he was in the boat. And other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?” He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then he said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!” (Mark 4: 35-41).

It was a calm, peaceful night and the moon cast a silvery streak across the black water of the Sea. The still, quiet water matched the stillness of the air below. The boats sailed smoothly across the Sea of Galilee as if sliding on a sheet of glass. There was not a cloud in the dark sky and the men could easily navigate their boats by the stars that filled the heavens. Most of them were professional fishermen and they had sailed these waters many times at night while fishing. Jesus was in one boat along with the twelve He recently appointed as apostles. His other disciples followed along in several other small boats.

They were midway across the sea without a care in the world. But then it happened! The wind rushed down the side of the mountains and across the sea, and the storm erupted. The fierce storm and hurricane-like winds caused the waves to sweep over the boats, drenching the men inside. This was no ordinary storm like these men faced many times on their fishing expeditions. Terror gripped the men, and they feared they were headed to a watery grave with their boat as their casket. As the men struggled for their lives, Jesus was sound asleep in the corner with the waves rocking the boat like a cradle.

The day had started like many others. Jesus was teaching His disciples along the shore of the sea when a large crowd gathered. This time, the multitude was so great that Jesus asked His disciples to get a boat for Him to sit in. From there He taught the people in parables.

Later as the crowd dispersed, Jesus spent time with His disciples explaining in detail the meaning of the parables. Jesus told them, the secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those outside, everything comes in parables (v11).

The disciples heard Jesus speak to the multitudes and then privately received further instructions. Now it was time for a test to see if they learned the lesson Jesus had for them. On that day, when evening had come, he told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea” (v35). The omniscient Lord knew the storm was coming, and this would provide the perfect opportunity for a pop quiz.

When the terrifying storm convinced the disciples they were about to die, they forgot one important factor; Jesus was in the boat and He had told them they were going to the other side of the sea. His word always comes to pass.

When they finally awakened Jesus, He spoke to the wind like a dog owner would command his pet to stop barking. And as the dog would obey the voice of its owner, the wind obeyed the voice of its maker. “Silence! Be still!” Jesus commanded and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (v39).

Today, we sit in our churches and hear the Word of God publicly proclaimed. We spend time alone with God through our personal reading and studying of Scripture and prayer. But true Christian growth occurs as our faith is tested. As long as the disciples assumed control of their situation, Jesus slept. But when they cast their worries on Him and released control to Him, He cared for everything and they experienced peace. While we must take responsibility, we are never to take control. Only God is big enough to take control.

When the storms of life cause us to doubt and our circumstances spiral out of control, as long as we take charge, God will allow us to mess up our situation. But when we, by faith, release control to Him, it is then that we find true peace in our lives. Cast all your cares on him, because he cares about you (1Pet 5:7).