Mark 4:35-41 (NKJV) Wind and Wave Obey Jesus
(Matt. 8:23–27; Luke 8:22–25)
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 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. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 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?”
39 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. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
The Lord is still on His early Galilean ministry. This is the beginning of a number of miracles showing the Lord Jesus to be Lord over all. These miracles authenticate that He is the Messiah.
V35 “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” After a busy day preaching and ministering, He does not rest but states, “Let us cross to the other side.” Jesus would rest after arriving at His next ministry stop. A principle for us to prepare for tomorrow, if at all possible.
V36 “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 with His disciples boarded a larger boat to cross the lake. A number of the crowd went also. They were traveling from the west side to the east side of the Sea of Galilee.
V37 “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.” A strong storm began with large waves flowing over the boat and filling it with water. Water began to fill the boat, which is very serious even in danger of sinking. Jesus has some very experienced fishermen with Him.
A map and general travels of Jesus across the lake is here: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a4/72/1b/a4721b5f00695cba7f1a65ed4e33844e.png.
Here’s a general discussion about the weather in Biblical times at the Sea of Galilee: https://www.saxum.org/the-storms-at-the-sea-of-galilee/.
V38 “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?” Despite the storm, the Lord Jesus slept peacefully on a cushion. The disciples were fearful of sinking, so they woke Him up and asked a question. They were very concerned about the storm and their ship, and their lives. “Aren’t you concerned that we are going to die?” The Lord Jesus was at peace, but the disciples were not. They were correct to ask Him for help, so should we. The lesson to be learned is this: if Jesus is with us, we do not have to fear. Our soul is safe no matter what anyone does to us, pleasant or unpleasant. See Matthew 10:28.
V39 “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.” Just 3 words in English, and there is peace. What power the Lord Jesus has in just what He says. Creation was brought into existence by just a word. Demons are cast out with just a word. Storms are calm but just a word. Judgment is executed by just a word. Salvation is accomplished with just a word after we place our faith and trust in Him. Compare Matthew 21:19, John 11:43, and Mark 5:8-13.
V40 “But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” He is not rebuking; He is teaching. If Jesus were at peace right there with them, then there would have been no doubt or fear.
V41 “And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” They are in shock, but it is another step in knowing God. Our Christian lives are to be growing in the knowledge of God. Thus, we must read and study the Bible and interpret it in its plain, normal sense. This fear is not a fear of dying, rather it is a fear of the authority of Jesus. It is not something they knew much about. They should have seeing all the miracles so far.
We learn:
- The word of God, whether written or spoken, has infinite power.
- Jesus, the Messiah, is authenticated by the fulfillment of prophecy.
Questions:
- Do we respect God’s word?
- Do we call out to God for help in good and bad times?