JESUS AUTHORITY OVER NATURE

Passage: Mark 4:35-41

Key verse: 39

NIV

Jesus Calms the Storm(A)

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.(B) There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”(C)

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Calms a Storm

35 (A)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 (B)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 (C)rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and (D)there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you (E)so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, (F)“Who then is this, that even (G)the wind and the sea obey him?”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

When Jesus decided to take the disciples to the other side of the lake, they left on quiet water, but the furious wind came suddenly, and their boat was nearly swamped. “Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" (38c); the disciples resented Jesus when they found him sleeping soundly during the turmoil. Some of them were experienced fishermen who were more qualified to help in the situation. It is unclear what they expected from Jesus, but they depended on him in a difficult time. They were upset when they felt as if Jesus did not care.

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind, making it completely calm. The disciples were shocked to see his power over the wind and waves. It was a learning moment for them to see the extent of his authority. Jesus told the disciples that it is a lack of faith that makes them afraid (4

). Jesus did not prevent the problem from happening but showed them how to deal with the challenge by faith.

We experience big and small issues in our lives. Sometimes we wonder why the Lord would challenge us with difficulties if he cared about us. But Jesus teaches us fear comes from a lack of faith (39). Despite life's problems, we will have courage as we depend on Jesus, who has authority over all things.

Prayer: Lord, help me grow in faith to have the strength to go through life as your disciple.

One Word: I overcome fear by faith in Jesus