35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown? ” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-41 NIV.
After a long day of ministry, Jesus was tired and fell asleep. The destination was set – they were going to the other side of the lake. The disciples had crossed this lake many times, and at least 4 of them were professional fishermen who would have navigated a storm or two before. A storm blew in that had the disciples fearing for their lives. Their fear was so great that they woke Jesus up. In the natural, they had many reasons to fear – waves were crashing over the boat, they were likely taking in water, and it wasn’t letting up. And the first thing that Jesus does is confront their lack of trust. He asks them why they are afraid? It seems like an odd question to ask. But based on many other instances in the bible, when Jesus asks a question, He already knows the answer to; this was going straight to the heart – Why are you so afraid? Jesus knew about the storm that was taking place; He knows all things – but after everything the disciples had witnessed Him do up to this point, the question was intended to bring a deeper revelation of who He really was. In one mighty miraculous moment, Jesus commands the storm to stop and the sea to be still, leaving the disciples in awe of His power. Not only was Jesus sovereign over the human body with the power to heal and raise the dead, but He also had command over the elements of nature as well.
In every moment, in every circumstance, we are faced with a choice – faith or fear? So many times in my life, I have allowed fear to reign, always producing the same miserable results – worry, anxiety, restlessness, despair, anger and even hopelessness. Yet the fruit of choosing faith and living in the power of the Holy Spirit is to produce the exact opposite – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Jesus wanted the disciples to understand that when He is with them, there is no reason to fear; He is in control of all things. I’m so thankful that through the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit, we have the power of God dwelling within us at all times and in all circumstances. Even in the worst storms that shake us to the core – Jesus calls us to choose faith even in the midst of fear-inducing circumstances.
What are the circumstances that you are facing that are causing doubts, worry, concern or despair? Jesus asked the disciples why they were afraid and still had no faith. So let’s respond to this question in our hearts and choose faith over fear.
Lord, you know our weakness and frailty. We are easily shaken and filled with fear when we get our eyes off of You. Help us remember that You are Sovereign over all things, and just as you intended to take the disciples to the other side of the lake through the storm, You will take us through our storms to the other side. Today we make an active choice to choose faith over fear and trust You with every situation we are facing that induces fear. You are trustworthy and faithful and will work all things according to Your good and perfect will. Amen
