By Christopher and Kevaughn Dryden
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon, a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly, the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Mark 4:35-41 ESVUK
This is a fascinating episode in the life of Jesus on earth and those who followed Him. It appears it’s more remarkable for the observers than for Jesus. There was fear at the storm, but there was terror at the storm being settled by the man's command. It is something you should be able to relate to because when there’s a storm taking place in your neighbourhood, it’s not the norm for someone to be disturbed from their sleep to stroll outside and tell the storm to be calm and be amazed that people hadn’t done that earlier.
Why is this episode so significant for those who live under the rule of God? There are interpretations of this episode that jump straight to the metaphorical. If there’s a storm in your life – a broken relationship, job loss, death of a loved one, etc., if Jesus is in your boat, you can calm that storm. Jesus in the boat of your life can indeed ensure you can remain at peace and calm the storms around you.
However, the importance of this episode for the followers of Jesus at the time was not primarily about the symbolism. They were stunned and amazed at a man who exercised power over nature. It was the norm to accept that the storms were things they had no control over. They were literally under the weather. Yet they had an encounter with a man who was over the circumstances. Not only was He over it, but He also clearly suggested that those who placed faith in Him should operate the same way He did.
The rule of God is not just something that we keep in our hearts to comfort us. The rule of God operates in nature – all nature. Saints have testified of God’s control over nature to accomplish His glory. Whether it’s keeping a rainstorm from an open-air meeting or bringing about calm in a storm to enable them to reach their destination safely, people of God have testified that God rules in all affairs. Those testimonies reinforce what Jesus stated to His disciples.
Our challenge today is to understand how God's Word guides us in faith. If He says it, He will do it. If He says that you are to make it across to another side, no storm, hail, severe shower, or other disturbing situation will prevent it. This is His Word at stake. In the light of that Word, we can exercise faith both to endure and go through as well as to conquer and overcome.
Ask: What troubled the disciples more, the storm or Jesus stopping the storm?
Seek: Have you witnessed God’s power over nature? Is it something you believe still operates today? How should we respond to this episode today?
Knock: Father, help us trust you and take you at your word as we read this episode of your rule over nature. Help us place faith in your Word and exercise it as you direct for your glory.
