THE MASTER OF THE SEA

The Great Storm

The Sea of Galilee was notorious for its severe storms.

Mark 4:37 “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.”

The Humanity of Christ

Christ sleeping through the storm is a powerful reminder of His humanity.

Psalm 121:4 “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

See Philippians 2:6–8...

Since Christ knows the struggle it is to be a human, He is a merciful Savior.

See Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:15-16...

The Doubt of the Disciples

In this moment, the disciples doubted the Lord Jesus’s care for them.

In Mark’s account, they woke up Jesus and asked Him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are perishing?”

Psalm 44:22–23 “Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!”

Our great problem is that we have too big a view of our problems and too small a view of our Savior.

The Absolute Authority of Christ

Christ has absolute authority over the whole universe, including nature.

Mark’s account tells us that Christ rebuked the wind and sea and said, “Peace! Be Still!”. After the immediate calm, He asked them why they were so afraid. then He asked an even more painful question: “Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40)

See Psalm 107:23-32...

How can we have such little faith when we have such a mighty Savior?

Luke 17:5 “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!””

Mark 9:24 “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!””

By the time the storm was over, their fear of the storm was replaced by fear of the Lord Jesus.

Mark’s account tells us that the disciples were filled with fear after Christ calmed the storm. (See Mark 4:41)

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Since Christ is always with us, we should fear no earthly danger.

Psalm 46:1–3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah”