Read Mark 4:35–41
Questions from the Scripture text: Whose idea was it to cross over to the other side of the lake (Mark 4:35)? What size boats were they in (Mark 4:36)? What happened to the boats (Mark 4:37)? Where was Jesus (Mark 4:38)? What do they ask Him? How does Jesus stop the storm in Mark 4:39? Whom else does He rebuke in Mark 4:40? What does He rebuke them for? What do they fear even more in Mark 4:41? What do they ask?
Who can Jesus be? Mark 4:35–41 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus can only be YHWH God.
In this passage, we learn what to fear and what not to fear.
Just as God was the One Who “picked the fight” that led to the situation with Job, so now it is Jesus Who initiates the situation with the boats (Mark 4:35-36). The disciples are about to become witnesses of astonishing power (over nature in this passage, and over demons in the next one, cf. Mark 5:1–20).
Because we know the greatness of what Jesus is about to do, we should be particularly impressed with Mark 4:38: our Savior needs sleep. Our Creator needs sleep. Our God needs sleep! He’s exhausted—so tired that even the storm doesn’t wake Him. The disciples have to do that, themselves. The disciples seem to know that Jesus could do something about the storm. Perhaps He could pray. Perhaps He would give them some instruction, as He had with catching fish, that would astonish with the effectiveness of His wisdom.
Sadly, it is not His ability that they question. In Mark 4:38, they do not doubt His power, but His care. But are we not, often, like they were? Do we not sometimes, in prayer, cry to the Lord, knowing that He can do something, but secretly doubting, in our hearts, that He will do anything? The Lord’s question is valid for us: why are we so fearful? How is it that we have no faith? So… let us not fear our circumstances. After all, we have an almighty and all-loving Savior who rules and overrules in everything that happens to us!
But let us also learn to fear. It is one thing to heal diseases, and even to command evil spirits, but it is something else altogether to command the very creation. At the end, they fear exceedingly (Mark 4:41). Before, they had merely thought they were dying. Now they realize that they are in the very presence of God (cf. Psalm 65:7, Psalm 89:9, Psalm 93:4). They know the answer to their question: Who can this be that wind and sea obey Him? We know Who He is. He is YHWH! And the most amazing thing isn’t that He would be so tired that we find Him asleep on a pillow in a boat. The most amazing thing? It is that we would find Him dying on a cross, and bearing God’s wrath for us!
Of what circumstances have you been afraid? How is Jesus more fearful than those? How can this be the greatest possible comfort to you?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for when we have been afraid of circumstances, as if You either were not strong enough, or did not care enough, to work those circumstances to our good. Grant that we would be amazed that Jesus, YHWH Himself, became a sleep-needing man, so that He could suffer and die on the cross for our sins. And, make us to know that He rules over all creation for our good, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP180 “Christ Shall Have Dominion” or TPH291 “O, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
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