As the evening fell, Jesus said to His disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake". So they took him just as he was and started out, leaving the crowds behind (though other boats followed) But soon a terrible storm arose. High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water and about to sink. Jesus was asleep at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Frantically they wakened him, shouting, "Teacher, don't you even care that we are all about to drown!? Then He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Quiet down!" And the wind fell, and there was a great calm. And He asked them, Why were you so fearful? Don't you even yet have confidence in me?" And they were filled with awe and said among themselves, "Who is this man, that even the winds and seas obey Him?"
These are the verses that my pastor's wife shared with us last Wednesday night. One thing for sure, God was once again speaking directly to me.....and it was somewhat embarrassing I must admit. If you read my previous 2 blogs, you might recall me telling you about how my life was kind of a roller coaster right now. I was waiting for answers on a job situation, my mother in law had been quite ill and I just needed some mental rest....
Well, my answer came on Wednesday about my job, I got my job!! Wednesday night I really wasn't going to go to the women's Bible study. I was tired and just wanted to stay home with my husband. Yet, something in side of me was saying "Go". My husband came in from work, so exhausted. The usual Wed night Bible study was not meeting this week due to the women's meeting, so my husband said, "I think I'm just going to go to sleep." Well, I decided that I would go to the Bible study....and boy did God speak to my heart.
Let's look at this story in Mark.....and gain some insight
Who are the main characters of this story? Basically it is Jesus and His disciples
We are only in to the beginnings of the book of Mark and we see that Jesus has already chosen His disciples and He has been traveling, teaching and healing. He also had cast out demons!
They had to be pretty worn out. Jesus tells the disciples to get in the boat with Him. He told the disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.
Soon after getting in the boat the storm arose. Now here's an interesting thought...if you have more insight on this please share. The disciples were fishermen....this was their livelihood. Did they see the storm coming. I would think fishermen would have some insight on how the skies look or the water looks prior to a storm arising. It could very well be that this storm caught them by surprise. I used to live in the tropics and I will tell you this...one minute the sun was out and the next minute there was a downpour.
One thing we do know...Jesus knew about this storm. In his time here on earth He was 100% man and 100% God. He knew the hearts of people, the words before they spoke them, so we can be sure that He knew that this storm was coming.
Jesus was in the storm with them. Obviously the storm did not worry Jesus. He was asleep!
When the disciples cried out Jesus was there, He responded.....then came a gentle rebuke....Why are you so fearful. Don't you even yet have no confidence in me?....ouch, that one hurt. That is what He said to me Friday night, I can imagine what the disciples felt...the ouch and the awe as I like to put it
Whatever storm you are going through, Jesus is in the boat and He is at peace. Ya know, I kind of find comfort in the fact that Jesus was asleep. The last thing you want when you are in a panic is to see the One in charge also in a panic. I have flown more times than I could count. When we hit strong turbulence, I often will glance at the flight attendants. I look at their face. I know they have flown enough that they know when its just some bumps and when it is time to get concerned. If Jesus is at peace, why should I be worried?
The other cool thing is when we call out, Jesus is there and He brings calm to the storm. But, undoubtedly, you will hear Him whisper. what he asked His disciples..."Why are you so fearful, Don't you even yet have confidence in me?"
Our response will probably mirror the response of the disciples... We will be filled with awe. For we belong to the One who speaks to the storms and they obey Him.
Jesus might take your boat right into the storm, but He is there. In the midst of my concern over a job, He was there.....He calmed my storm.....I had to endure that question from Jesus of why was I fearful, after all these years, do I not have confidence in Him.
Today I stand in awe of the One who calmed my storm. May I walk out of this storm with a lesson learned. Great is His faithfulness....and God will make a way when it seems there is no way.
