Peace, Be Still!

Title: Peace! Be Still!

Theme: To show that Jesus wants to still our storms.

Text: Mark 4:35 - 41

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" (Mar 4:35-41)

Introduction

Vs. 35 - 36 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.

Jesus was tired after a long day of teaching. You can review his parables and teaching in the previous section and chapters. It is almost a list as on the sermon on the mount. Such as the seed of the sower, mustard seed and out life being a light. Jesus needed to get away. He tells His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side. This would be the other side of the sea of galilee.

Jesus was human just like us. He needed rest. He needed rest to clear His head. He needed rest to keep focused. He needed rest to put the priorities in the same place. We are not superman or woman we need rest. We need a sabbath, a day off. A day of worship and refocus.

As they are crossing this sea a “great storm” arises. Matthew tells us it was “a sudden storm”. This was not just a major storm this is a storm that quickly comes. The Bible implies that this was not just a regular storm but as we progress in the story this is a storm of the enemy. An attack.

Vs. 37 a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

This was an unexpected storm. Do you ever have unexpected storms in your life? You wake up that morning a think it is going to be a good day. Then you get the sudden news. The cancer is back, the relationship is strained. Your job is no longer favorable. The death of a loved one. It didn’t start out this way. As a matter of fact, you probably say to yourself, “I just want to go back to bed.”

This storm was sudden, powerful and it was overwhelming. It was coming in the boat. It is testing the faith of the disciples. There is no end in sight.

Where do storms come from?

Jonah’s storm was his own fault. Jonah was running from God and God needed to get his attention. Not all storms are for this reason but they must be recognized.

Life in general has storms. James describes them as “trials and tribulations”. The ups and downs of life. The storm should not be our focus the focus should be on Jesus.

Sometimes the Enemy, Satan, brew them up for us. Examples: Paul at Thessalonica; Job. Most Bible scholars believe this storm in Mark 4 was devil driven, because in v. 39 it says Jesus ‘rebuked’ the storm.

Vs. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

Where is Jesus? Jesus is asleep in the boat. He was tired. So the disciples decide to wake Him. Notice what they say, “"Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?". You can read the sarcasm in the boat.

Hey teacher, you know the one who told us to get into the boat. Hey teacher, you know the one who called us. The one we follow. Don’t you even care. Shouldn’t you be doing something. At least wake us and do as we do. Misery enjoys company. Get up. Help us bail and help us worry. This is no time to sleep and have rest.

Do you ever talk to God this way? Wondering where He is in your storm. Wondering if He even notices.