A Storm on the Sea of Galilee

A storm on the Sea of Galilee provoked a question by the disciples (Mark 4:35-41).  Lord, don’t you care that we perish? It was a hurtful question but I’m glad it was asked, because the answer reminds us in the midst of our greatest trials … the Lord cares for His children. He showed that He cared by muzzling the wind and calming the lake. The disciples needed to learn that His power is present even when trials and problems and circumstances are awful. He cares at all times. How could the One, who left the glories of heaven to live among us so that He could die for our sins, stop caring for us? His love started before the universe began. Why would He stop loving, stop caring when the storms of life rage?

 The Lord tested His follower’s faith and they failed. They learned Jesus could be trusted in the storm. He told His disciples, let us go to the other side. He didn’t say, let us go down to the sea and be drowned. He promised they would arrive on the other side and He was true to His Word. And He’s true to His Word today. When He says He will never leave us or forsake us – we can be confident He cares at all times. 

It took the miraculous calming of the storm to observe His love and care. But now the fear of perishing was replaced with a new fear. A fear of who it was in that boat – God Himself! Jesus used that terrifying experience to display Himself. This was the perfect opportunity for Him to show His power and most importantly – His deity. Understanding who was in the boat shocked them … they were in the presence of God, the very God and yet they did not die. The miraculous calming of the storm made the disciples see themselves. They saw the ugliness of their unbelieving heart and His perfection, His holiness. And now they feared their Master. But Jesus, rather than punishing the sin of unbelief – mildly rebuked their absence of faith … that their faith in the future might be strong. With confidence and faith that Jesus cares for you … that He can be trusted at all times, let your faith be a faith that says … with Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.