Four Great Questions Of Jesus Ii: "why Are You So Afraid?? Series

FOUR GREAT QUESTIONS OF JESUS II

A Series of Devotional Sermons

Second Great Question:

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

(Mark: 4:40)

The context for this question was this: After a long day of ministry, Jesus suggested to his disciples that they go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee to get some rest.

During their crossing of the large body of water, a storm came up and tossed them about as waves crashed into the boat and drenched those on board.

During all of this, Jesus was lying in the stern of the boat – sleeping. You might say that the disciples became furious because their Master was sleeping during the storm. So, they woke him up and shouted, “Don’t you care if we drown?”

Well, Jesus got up and rebuked the wind. “Peace! Be still.” And guess what? The wind died down until the water was completely calm.

As Jesus laid back down to resume his nap, He asked a great question that we would do well to ask ourselves: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Apparently, these guys, at this point in their journey with Jesus, still did not know who Jesus was. In fact, after relating the occurrence of this miracle, Mark reflected upon that terrifying experience, remembering that his fellow disciples had looked at each other in amazement and asked, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

This of course is a wonderful story because it describes one of the many miracles of Jesus. Indeed, we marvel at the power of the man named Jesus who caused a storm to cease. But if we see it as “just another story” about Jesus, we do this miracle an injustice.

For, you see, there is far more to the stilling of a threatening storm by the presence and power of Jesus than meets the eye.

I ask you to see in this story the symbolic significance of this once in a lifetime event as it pertains to you and me.

When the disciples realized that it was the presence of Jesus that calmed the storm, they immediately understood the importance of having Jesus with them wherever they went.

So, from then on, they knew that no matter where their journey took them - no matter what their situation might be - to have Jesus with them was to experience peace – even during the storms of life.

Whereas the stilling of the storm on the Sea of Galilee happened once in their lifetime, and would never happen again, it became apparent to the followers of Jesus that the peace Jesus gives could happen repeatedly.

It is as true today as it was then that the presence of Christ in our lives makes a difference for the better. It is something which does happen and which can happen for us. In the presence of Jesus, we can have peace - even during the bitter storms of life.

Our Lord gives us peace in the storms of sorrow. When sorrow comes to us, as come it must, He tells us of the glory of the life to come. He changes the darkness of death into the glorious thought of life eternal. In the midst of our sorrow, the presence of Jesus reminds us of the love of God.

There is an old story of a gardener who, in his garden, had a favorite flower which he loved very much. One day he came to the garden to find the flower gone. The absence of the flower aggravated the gardener and angered him until all he did was grumble.

In the midst of his resentment, he met the master of the garden and hurled his complaints at him. “Hush!” said the master, “I picked the flower for myself.”

In the storm of sorrow Jesus tells us that those we “lost” went home

to be with the Lord; and He gives us the certainty that we shall one day meet again those whom we have loved and lost for awhile.

Notice I said, “lost for a while” – not “forever” - not “for eternity” - “for awhile.”

In one of his books, Dr. Vance Havner, an old-time evangelist and author, illustrates from personal experience his reaction to folks who speak of having “lost” a loved one.

Shortly after his wife died, the beloved author-evangelist decided to go ahead and preach an already-scheduled series of revival services. One evening when he had finished preaching, the grieving evangelist tells about a well-meaning man who came up to him and said, “Dr. Havner, I’m so sorry you lost your wife.”

Dr. Havner quietly responded, “Sir, I have not lost my wife; I know exactly where she is.” Yes, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, gives us peace in the storms of sorrow.