In Mark 4:35-41, we read that one evening Jesus said to His disciples “Let us cross over to the other side” of the lake. So, they left the crowd in a few boats and “a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But [Jesus] 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?” (Mark 4:37-38).
Now, the disciples had no
reason to be afraid. They were going to a place where Jesus wanted to go. And
since God-in-the-flesh was right there with them in the boat, there was nothing
that would keep them from getting there. Yet they panicked.
Scripture tells us “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” (Mark 4:39).
Jesus’ words to the wind and
waves, as well as His follow-up rebuke to His disciples for not displaying
faith might sound like this today: “Stop worrying! Knock off the anxiety. Quiet
your hearts. Don’t you realize I can handle this?”
Jesus’ words “Peace, be
still!” invite us to calm our anxious hearts and trust in the One who can not
only sleep during the storm, but can help us do the same. Although Jesus was
asleep in the boat that day, Scripture tells us our God “will neither slumber
nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4), and is ever aware of all that we need, right when we
need it.
If Jesus can calm the waves
of the sea, He can certainly calm the storms in you and me. If He can command
the elements of the earth, He can control the circumstances around us or the
storm-tossed emotions within us.
New King James Version. Acts
2:21
And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.’
(Baba Bishop Nelson Nzvimbo, 2021)
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