In Mark 4, Jesus tells the disciples several parables to show them what
the Kingdom of God is like. Then verses 35 and 36 say, “That day when
evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’
Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the
boat.” Since I often want to escape after a busy day, I find it comforting
that Jesus did too.
But that night, the disciples faced another challenge. Scripture says
that there was “a furious squall” that nearly swamped their boat.
Jesus was in the stern, on a cushion…asleep! If you ever felt like Jesus
was asleep when you were in a storm, you can be encouraged by this
story because Jesus did wake up! Jesus responded when His disciples
called to Him. “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves,
‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely
calm.” (Mark 4:39) The disciples were blown away (ha!) in amazement.
See, water was so important to life in this area and culture that people
believed that the god who controlled it was the most powerful of all. So,
the next time your life feels a bit stormy, remember that you too can
call on Jesus, the one who is powerful enough to make everything calm!
Blessings,
Pastor Cindy