Mark 4:35-41 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (ESV)
Just over one hundred years ago, a so-called “unsinkable” luxury liner sank on its maiden voyage. More than 1,500 men, women, and children tragically lost their lives after the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 12, 1912. Shockingly, many who perished had refused to board the lifeboats at first, believing the ship as truly indestructible and would not sink! John Harper, as depicted in the biography: the Titanic’s last hero, set his only child in a lifeboat before setting his sights on the salvation of the lost souls around him. As the ship took on water and passengers swarmed the decks. “Let the women, children, and the unsaved into the lifeboats!” was Harper’s cry. This man went down with the ship and in icy waters under a starry sky as he searched for doomed souls who needed his message of love and salvation. His biographer wrote: " Harper stood as a giant of unselfishness in a world where most men are obsessed with looking out for “number one,” a giant of sacrifice in a world where most men are unwilling to deprive themselves, a giant of passion for souls in a world where few men possess a deep desire for the salvation of their fellow men." (Adams, M. (2012). The titanic’s last hero. Greenville, SC: Ambassador International.)
This is the symbolism depicted here in the Gospel of Mark and the Early Church picked up this describing Christ in a boat with his followers on a stormy lake as a picture of the Church in the midst of the world. (Because Christ is with us in the storm, we have nothing to fear). Yet fear is endemic to the human situation. Perhaps today you are fearful. Perhaps you fear life in general, that you will not be adequate for the challenges which are coming. … Maybe you fear some unspoken problem which has no apparent solution. The winds are howling, and no hope is on the horizon. What should you do? Understand and believe that it is through storms, afflictions, hardships, and challenges that you grow. Without them, you would be captive to the terrible tyranny of self. Understand that Christ wants to develop you through the storms ahead. Know that He is completely capable of delivering you with a word. He is the same Christ who calmed the storm. Know that He is in the boat with you. He is in you. Exercise this faith and lay down your fear. For when this faith is active, fear vanishes! (Hughes, R. K. (1989). Mark : Jesus, servant and savior. Preaching the Word (116). Westchester, Ill.: Crossway Books.)
When we experience a life crisis, we don't need a fantastical story to take our mind off our problems. We don't need simply a story of a good example to emulate. We don't need a moral pep talk to do the right thing. We need a deliverer. We need someone to be there for us who is big enough to overcome the problem. "God is Big Enough to See me through the Storms of Life". In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus reveals His power over the storms of life through 1) The Crisis (Mark 4:35–38a), 2) The Cry (Mark 4:38b) and 3) The Calm (Mark 4:39–41)
"God is Big Enough to See me through the Storms of Life" as seen through:
1) The Crisis (Mark 4:35–38a)
Mark 4:35-38a [35] On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." [36] And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. [37] And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. [38] But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. (And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?") (ESV)
Jesus’ day could have begun with the accusation of being in league with Satan (Mk. 3:20–30). If so, he had dealt with the religious leaders, then with His family who had come to take him home by force (Mk. 3:31–34). He had also told parables from the deck of a fishing boat anchored near the shore of the Sea of Galilee. So when evening had come, Jesus who took the initiative by issuing the order, “Let us go across/cross over …” .
• We see in the beginning of this story how, Christ puts us into the storms of life in order that we might grow closer to Him and that we might know Him better. Poem: As Edward Hooper said: “Jesus, Savior, pilot me, Over life’s tempestuous sea: Unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rocks and treach’rous shoal; Chart and compass come from Thee— Jesus, Savior, pilot me! (As recorded in McGee, J. V. (1997). Thru the Bible commentary (electronic ed.) (Mk 4:41). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
Jesus wanted to cross over from the busy western or Capernaum side to the eastern or “country of the Gerasenes” side. Since he was not only thoroughly divine but also thoroughly human, he was in need of rest. Verse 36 notes that Jesus needed to get away from all those people: not only did they crowd the shore; they even surrounded him in boats! If Jesus had gone back on shore, the crowds would have continued to hound him; His escape and rest was to stay in the boat and simply sail away. The twelve disciples, His inner circle of followers, had been in the boat during Jesus’ teaching. The boat probably belonged to one of the fishermen among the group, most likely to Peter. For Peter to set sail in the evening was not unusual because he was used to fishing at night (John 21:3). Fishing was best then; storms usually came in the afternoon. Jesus actions here are indicative with the rest of His ministry. He was always going somewhere, leaving some place and going to another. Not restlessly, but steadily he made his journey from town to wilderness to river valley and finally the big city. He knew his home was always heaven, but he had much to do on earth.
• In fulfilling God’s purpose in Christian ministry or in the careers and roles God leads us to do, we must not confuse restless activity with fruitful service. We may feel as though we’re wayfaring pilgrims or nomads on the move, but Christ must always be our guide, and His Word our compass. As you do your activities and carry out your busy schedule, act as though Jesus is next to you (Barton, B. B. (1994). Mark. Life application Bible commentary (119–120). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.).
The disciples took Jesus along (with them) in the boat. They were the boatsmen, the navigators. So they took Jesus along “just as he was” (cf. II Kings 7:7), tired, exhausted, in need of rest and sleep.
• Some mistakenly believe that God is busy doing important things than to be concerned about me. "I'm the one dealing with the situation in from of me". Some even mistakenly believe that "God helps those who help themselves". This story is going to show that all of that is dangerously mistaken.
The curious detail that “they took [Jesus] along, just as he was, in the boat” probably reflects the memory of the disciples that Jesus was taken directly from the boat in which he was teaching the crowd (Mk. 4:1), without his having returned to the shore. In 1986 the hull of a fishing boat was recovered from the mud on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, about five miles south of Capernaum. The boat—26½ feet long, 7½ feet wide, and 4½ feet high—corresponds in design to a first-century mosaic of a Galilean boat preserved in Migdal only a mile from the discovery site, and to a sixth-century mosaic of a similar boat from Madeba. Carbon 14 technology dates the boat between 120 B.C. and A.D. 40. Both fore and aft sections of the boat appear to have been covered with a deck, providing space on which to sit or lie. The boat was propelled by four rowers (two per side) and has a total capacity of about fifteen persons. The Galilee boat corresponds to the particulars of the boat described in this story and to depictions in various ancient artistic renderings (S. Wachsmann, “The Galilee Boat,” BARev 14/5 (1988): 18–33.)
The detail that there were also other boats is recorded only in Mark and signifies an eyewitness account—perhaps from Peter who sailed the boat and had to watch out for these other boats as they made their way out into the lake. (Josephus, an ancient historian, wrote that there were usually more than three hundred fishing boats on the Sea of Galilee at one time.( Barton, B. B. (1994). Mark. Life application Bible commentary (120). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.). The fact that other boats accompanied the disciples and Christ across the sea speaks of influence. The disciples’ willingness to take Christ across the sea influenced others to go along. (Butler, J. G. (2008). Analytical Bible Expositor: Mark (67). Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.).
• Our activity will influence. It will either show that what we say we believe we really don't because we don't act on it. Or it will show that what we say is worth following because we are doing it according to the power and will of God.
Suddenly, verse 37 describes how a windstorm arose. To describe this atmospheric disturbance Mark and Luke in the original speak of a lailaps, (cf. Job 38:1; Jonah 1:4) a storm that breaks forth in furious gusts, a fearful squall. It can be described as to the strength of a ‘whirlwind,’ ‘hurricane,’ or ‘squall.’(Bratcher, R. G., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on the Gospel of Mark. UBS handbook series; Helps for translators (152–153). New York: United Bible Societies.)
We can see this arising due to the nature of the Sea of Galilee. It is located in the north of the valley of the Jordan. It is about thirteen miles in length and seven and one-half miles in width. It lies approximately six hundred eighty feet below the level of the Mediterranean. Its bed is a depression surrounded by hills, especially on the east side with its precipitous cliffs. It is understandable that when the cool currents rush down from Mt. Hermon (9,200 feet) or from elsewhere and through narrow passages between the steep hills collide with the heated air above the lake basin, this downrush is impetuous. The violent winds whip the sea into a fury, causing high waves that splash over bow, side rails, etc., of any vessel that happens to be plying the water surface. In the present instance the small fishing craft, swamped by towering billows, was becoming water-logged, the toy of the raging elements. The verb is present, and denotes the act in its progress, not its completion (Gould, E. P. (1922). A critical and exegetical commentary on the Gospel according to St. Mark (85). New York: C. Scribner's sons.).
Please turn to Psalm 107
It is a fallacy to think that if we are in God's will, things will be smooth sailing. The disciples have followed Jesus' directives exactly and have been engulfed in a storm. It is when we are in God's will that we often face the greatest opposition. Notice how the Psalmist expressed this:
Psalm 107:23-32 [23] Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; [24]they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. [25] For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. [26] They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; [27] they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. [28] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. [29] He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. [30] Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. [31] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! [32] Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. (ESV)
• The parallel of Jesus' actions in Mark 4 to Psalm 107 is the confirmation that Jesus does what only God can do.
Amongst the howling winds, raging billows in verse 38 we see Jesus was in the stern, on the headrest, sleeping.” The present participle describes that Jesus was asleep picturing a peaceful slumber. Jesus' sleeping must not be pictured as if the head of Jesus was necessarily resting on a very soft pillow. He is asleep "on the cushion/headrest.” It may have been a "cushion/headrest" that belonged to the boat, the only one on board. It may have been a headrest of leather; perhaps even of wood (part of the boat). The "cushion/headrest" is where the pilot of the boat usually sat. This location of Christ was the right place for Him. He needs to be the pilot in our ship of life. He may steer us into storms, but He will also deliver us from those storms and in so doing will demonstrate some great truths about His person (Butler, J. G. (2008). Analytical Bible Expositor: Mark (68). Clinton, IA: LBC Publications).
Poem: As Amy Carmichael expressed it: Thou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow, Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea, What matter beating wind and tossing billow, If only we are in the boat with Thee? (As recorded in MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Mk 4:38–41). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
Luke 8:23 creates the impression that Jesus had fallen asleep as soon as (or almost as soon as) the boat had left the shore. Soon He was sound asleep, showing how very tired he must have been; also showing that his trust in the heavenly Father—his own Father—was unfaltering. Neither the roaring of the wind nor the dashing and splashing of the billows nor even the rolling and pitching of the rapidly filling boat was able to awaken him.
• We live in a world surrounded by storms. They come to us in what seems to be constant news reports of natural disasters, human accidents, crime, rioting, violence, corruption and economic uncertainty. Feeding off of this is a desire to whip this into a frenzy for ratings and drama. The person who can remain calm in a world filled with images of doom and predictions of catastrophe is a rock. Jesus shows us that the only way to do that is trust in the Father in the midst of these storms.
Poem: as George Herbert expresses it: “When winds and waves assault my keel, He doth preserve it, he doth steer, Ev’n when the boat seems most to reel. Storms are the triumph of his art; Though he may close his eyes, yet not his heart”. (as recorded in Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Mk 4:35–41). Peabody: Hendrickson)
The disciples had no way at that terrible moment of knowing it, but that miserable storm was a vehicle for teaching them about God and his power in their lives. The storm was essential to their spiritual development. Here we see a principle of universal and spiritual application. Without difficulties, trials, stresses, and even failures, we would never grow to be what we should become. Storms are part of the process of spiritual growth. Some mature believers believe that every spiritual truth, everything that has enhanced their existence, has come through affliction. They are probably right (Hughes, R. K. (1989). Mark : Jesus, servant and savior. Preaching the Word (113–114). Westchester, Ill.: Crossway Books.)..
Poem: Harry Ironside said: “I asked the Lord that I might grow In faith and love and every grace, Might more of His salvation know, And seek more earnestly His face. ’Twas He who taught me thus to pray, And He I trust has answered prayer; But it has been in such a way As almost drove me to despair.(Quoted by Harry Ironside, Lectures on the Book of Acts (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1975), p. 457.)
• The fact is, we would be spiritually immature, insufferably self-centered, proud, and empty people, without adversity
"God is Big Enough to See me through the Storms of Life" as seen through:
2) The Cry (Mark 4:38b)
Mark 4:38b [38] (But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion.) And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
Amid the unity of their cry, there is variety in the reports concerning the cries of the fear-stricken men. Matthew’s Gospel adds: “So they came to him and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save (us), we’re perishing’”; and Luke, “Master, master, we’re perishing”. It is reasonable to suppose that in a situation of terrified distress one disciple would cry one thing, another something else.
• This variety of reports is helpful for us to relate our situation. We may not have the same fears of others in the middle of a storm. We may feel betrayed, isolated, confused or in rage. The point is the consideration of where God is in the midst of a life crisis.
It is difficult to ascribe any other meaning to the outcry, “Teacher/Master, do you not care that we are perishing” than that it was adverse criticism addressed to Jesus, as if whatever happened to his disciples did not concern him. In all honesty, such a stinging remark cannot even be justly called “mild” reproach. There was nothing mild about it. It meant, “Do we mean so little to you? With death staring us in the face, how can you sleep? Don’t you care whether we’re all swallowed up by the angry deep?”
• Over our lives we make certain assumptions. Some of them come from poor study and others through faulty assumptions. We hear the popular western brand of Christianity that God wants you to be happy and safe. The rest of the non-western world in the midst of persecution knows that it is often through trial that God is most glorified. Secondly, we make the faulty assumption that since we haven't experienced much persecution, and suffering to this point, that things will continue this way. All this does is set us up for a fall. With this assumption we don't dig a deep shelter of preparation, in being ready for trial. Worse yet, we play it safe, and experienced only a sanitized, vague notion of God. How easy it is for us to complain and criticize God for not coming to our aid, rather than making our request and then trusting him to answer. These words of the disciples occur only in Mark and prepare the way for the theme of the disciples’ failure to understand Jesus. We may tend to voice similar complaints to God when we feel he doesn’t care. Instead of accusing God, we should let our requests be made known to him (Philippians 4:6) and ask for his wisdom (James 1:5) (Barton, B. B. (1994). Mark. Life application Bible commentary (122). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.).
Please turn to Colossians 1
The disciples in our story are thoroughly frightened: in such a situation even normally loyal and courageous people will at times say things which they later regret. But their bitterness is mixed with a measure of trust. We see the experienced sailors turn to a “carpenter” for help. To be sure, their faith was far from perfect, but even “little faith” is faith, and holds out hope for purification and enlargement. Paul explained this to the Colossians:
Colossians 1:9-20 [9]And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10]so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. [11] May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, [12] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. [13] He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, [14]in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. [15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. [16] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. [19] For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, [20]and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (ESV)
• When our eyes get off of God and onto the storm before us, our mind makes the most dangerous of assumptions. We assume, that either God does not care, or is mysteriously absent. God not only knows of the storm, but He is present in the midst of the storm with us. All we need to do is confidently ask for His help.
Illustration: Ira Sankey was the co-evangelist, soloist, and song leader for D. L. Moody. Their partnership began in 1870 when Moody heard him sing at a Sunday school convention, and went on to span a quarter of a century. It was Christmas Eve, 1875, and Sankey was traveling by steamboat up the Delaware River. It was a beautiful, starlit evening and many passengers were on deck who encouraged the famous evangelist to sing. Sankey, who was leaning against one of the steamship’s great funnels gazing at the stars in silent prayer, consented, intending to sing a Christmas song, but felt compelled to sing William Bradbury’s “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.” There was a deep stillness as his baritone floated across the quiet river that Christmas Eve. When he had finished, a man stepped from the shadows and said: “Did you ever serve in the Union Army?” “Yes,” Mr. Sankey answered, “in the spring of 1860.” “Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright, moonlit night in 1862?” “Yes,” Mr. Sankey answered, very much surprised. “So did I, but I was serving in the Confederate Army. When I saw you standing at your post, I raised my musket and took aim. I was standing in the shadow, completely concealed, while the full light of the moon was falling upon you. At that instant, just as a moment ago, you raised your eyes to heaven and began to sing. ‘Let him sing his song to the end,’ I said to myself. ‘I can shoot him afterwards.… ’“But the song you sang then was the song you sang just now. I heard the words perfectly: ‘We are Thine, do Thou befriend us. Be the Guardian of our way.’ “Those words stirred up many memories. I began to think of my childhood and my God-fearing mother. She had many times sung that song to me.… “When you had finished your song, it was impossible for me to take aim again. I thought, ‘The Lord who is able to save that man from certain death must surely be great and mighty.’ And my arm of its own accord dropped limp at my side.” (I. M. Anderson, “When Sankey Sang the Shepherd Song,” Moody Monthly, Volume 86, Number 6, February 1986, pp. 77, 78). Oblivious to any danger, Ira Sankey was spared certain death. A coincidence? Hardly! It was God’s sovereign power which arranged for him to sing that particular song on that night, the exact familiar strain to evoke tender memories in his would-be slayer and stay his hand. God protects his own, and none of us will go before our time (Hughes, R. K. (1989). Mark : Jesus, servant and savior. Preaching the Word (111–112). Westchester, Ill.: Crossway Books.).
Finally, "God is Big Enough to See me through the Storms of Life" as seen through:
3) The Calm (Mark 4:39–41)
Mark 4:39-41 [39] And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" [41] And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (ESV)
Jesus stood up and “rebuked the wind.” Jesus’ use of the verb, “be still,” was somewhat of a technical term for dispossessing a demon of his power (cf. 1:25) and may suggest that Jesus recognized demonic powers behind the ferocious storm (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Mk 4:38–39). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
• Be careful though for some mistakenly believe that every calamity is either of human generation at one extreme, or because of demonic opposition on the other. For the human generation theorists, God has nothing to do with nature and we are the captains of our destiny. For the demonic camp, God wishes He could help, He is battling the cosmic forces that sometimes inflict pain and suffering, but sometimes unable to stop them. But the truth is neither.
What is very striking in Christ's response to the storm is not only the winds immediately quiet down, but so do even the waves. Generally, as is well-known, after the winds have perceptibly diminished, the billows will continue to roll for a while, surging and subsiding as if unwilling to follow the example of the now subdued air currents above them. But in this instance winds and waves synchronize in the sublime symphony of a solemn silence or great calm. Suddenly the surface of the sea had become smooth as a mirror. The aorist tenses indicate an immediate result, and ?a???? µe???? (replacing the ?a??a? µe???? of v. 37) emphasizing the total transformation achieved by Jesus’ intervention. While it may well be true, as some commentators have pointed out, that storms on the lake of Galilee can abate as quickly as they arise, Mark is not speaking of any natural change in the weather. Jesus’ companions in the boat were experienced Galilean fishermen, and to them it was a matter not of natural causes but of authority and obedience (France, R. T. (2002). The Gospel of Mark : A commentary on the Greek text (225). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.).
• If we somehow had to come up with the solutions of all the problems about or count all the possible hazards, then terror would ensue. How then does one go from absolute terror to absolute calm? This only happens when the peace of God controls the heart and mind of an individual.
Verse 40 now records that Jesus, awakened by his disciples’ agonizing appeal, asked to them, “Why are you so afraid/frightened, Have you no faith?" Jesus was not frightened. On the contrary, he was in full control of this storm even when the winds were still roaring and the waters seething.
Please turn to Luke 5
The disciples, by implication, had accused the Master of indifference or hard-heartedness, of not being concerned about them (verse 38). Luke 8:25 makes it very clear that not only before but also after the miracle the disciples were afraid. They had been frightened by the storm. Now they were filled with fear because of the presence of the One who had so suddenly, completely, and dramatically stilled the storm. This is the point of realization of awe induced by the consciousness of being in the presence of divinity. Luke presents the same reality:
Luke 5:1-11 [5:1]On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, [2]and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. [3] Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. [4] And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." [5] And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." [6] And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. [7] They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. [8] But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." [9] For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, [10]and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." [11] And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. (ESV)
(cf. Isa. 6:5
• Perhaps you have desired to be successful in a particular area for some time and have toiled year after year. When the power of God comes on a person, the previous activity results in a catch beyond expectation.. No longer mere duty but awe. God desires that we pick up the net and call others to the task. That we leave whatever necessary to follow him. Not mere verbal or mental willingness, but actual faithfulness. The catch is just waiting to be pulled in.
In Mark 4:40 Jesus asks them, “Why are—not Why were—you so afraid?” As if to say, has not the stilling of the storm and the soothing of the waves, in answer to your hysterical outcry, taught you that this Master of yours is not only very powerful but also very loving? Therefore, should not your response be that of complete, childlike trust? (cf. Mark 8:17–21; 9:19). Yet they were, men who were too timid sufficiently to rely upon the comfort and confidence which they should have derived from the presence, promises, power, and love of their Master (Matt. 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; Luke 12:28); They were too hesitant to realize that the Father’s loving care was bestowed upon them through the Son. Jesus does not reproach the disciples for their lack of knowledge, however, but for their fear, the Greek word for which means “losing heart” or “cowardice” (see 6:50–51). The real threat to faith comes not from lack of knowledge but from doubt and fear (Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark. The Pillar New Testament commentary (152). Grand Rapids, Mich; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos)..
• Don't go through life being a wimp. Christianity is not for cowards. We are called to die to self, take up our cross and follow Him. Most often, when we are faithful that means directly into the storm, for that is where the most power is visible.
The disciples had no right to fear even if they perished in the waves. We have no promise that mortal danger shall never plunge us into death merely because we are Christ’s own. In the counsel of God it may be His will that we die; we should then die with the mighty assurance that God’s will sends us what is best. We should die in confidence and not in fear (Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Mark's Gospel (202). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.). The disciples had no faith in spite of all that they had seen, heard, experienced? Still no faith; Mark likely intended to indicate that faith is more than intellectual assent, that it is trust in a Person. This kind of faith Jesus’ original disciples should have had and all subsequent disciples should have (Brooks, J. A. (2001). Vol. 23: Mark (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (88). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
By saying "still" Jesus is teaching that the experiences of life are sent to people with a purpose. They must be used to good advantage, for furtherance in sanctification. Joseph understood this (Gen. 50:19–21). So did David (II Sam. 23:5; Ps. 116); the man born blind (John 9:25, 30–33); Paul (I Cor. 15:9, 10; Phil. 2:7–14; 4:11–13). Laban, too, learned something by experience, but applied his knowledge selfishly (Gen. 30:27b).
• All the trials, suffering, and challenges in your life have occurred for a reason. The question is if you will let it go to waste in inactivity, or trust God, that your whole life has been a preparation for action right now.
Finally, the disciples in verse 41 were "filled with great fear/awestruck" This was not the “cowardly fear” of 4:40; the Greek word used here is phobeo—it conveys the awe and reverence they felt in the presence of divine power. They felt this way most likely because of all that Jesus had revealed with reference to himself, but probably mostly because of the power he had manifested. The “awe” here indicated was a combination of godly fear and reverence. Matt. 8:27 says that the men “were amazed (or: astonished).” Luke 8:25 reports both the fear and the amazement. The disciples began to realize: Jesus is greater by far than we had previously imagined. He exercises control not only over audiences, sicknesses, and demons, but even over winds and waves. (Barton, B. B. (1994). Mark. Life application Bible commentary (123–124). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.).
When Mark recorded this event, persecution against Christians had begun. Thus, the story had become an analogy of the persecution and trials of the early church. The disciples were surrounded by a sea that threatened to sink them; the church was surrounded by enemies who threatened to destroy it (first the Jews who tried to undermine the Christian faith, then the Roman Empire and its eventual widespread persecution of Christians). Having Jesus with us in the boat does not mean we will not encounter storms. Our peace and faith come with the knowledge that Jesus has power over all storms, whatever their source or strength. He can quiet them if He chooses. Often the early Christians hoped for Jesus to quiet the storm of persecution, but he did not. So, they were forced to rely, instead, on their faith in the power of their Savior and the eternal rest promised to them. When we become Christians, we enter a cosmic struggle because Satan hates people to believe in Jesus. Satan’s limited power is launched against believers individually and the church in general, hoping to sink us to the depths of the sea. But we have the ultimate power on our side, and the final victory is assured. Jesus should not be a mystery to us, causing us to fearfully ask, “Who then is this?” He should be our Savior, to whom we turn with all our needs and fears, knowing that he does care and will help (Barton, B. B. (1994). Mark. Life application Bible commentary (124). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.).
(Format Note: Some base commentary from Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 10: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark. New Testament Commentary (175–183). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
