Peace in the Storm

Introduction

Illustration: Compare photos, which one would we say is peaceful?

If we’re honest, we would chose the palm trees and sunset at the calm beach any day. But if you take a closer look into the stormy picture, we discover what real peace is all about. In the midst of the crashing waters, rushing winds, and the bashing thunder and lightning, a dove sits secure in the rock, calm as can be.

You see, peace isn’t found in blue skies and palm trees. Lasting peace goes deeper than this. The peace that can carry you through any storm is found when we set our hope in God. Like the dove who hid in the cleft of the rock, we can find refuge in our God who is unaffected by the storms around, then, and only then, will we have peace that cannot be taken away. In life's storms, peace is found in the person and presence of Jesus Christ.

Read the passage & Open in prayer

I. Distress at Bay - Mark 6:45-46 (NEW SLIDE)

From getting the news of John the Baptist’s death, to the feeding of the 5000 right after, there was no end of pressures being thrown on Jesus from the outside. Which all led up to this moment in vs. 45

Mark 6:45 KJV 1900

45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

A. Alarming Circumstances - vs. 45 (NEW SLIDE)

You might be wondering with me, “Why be so quick to get the people out of here Jesus? They spent all this time following you and listening to what You had to say, so why get rid of them now?” John gives us insight to the alarming circumstance arising in his account..

John 6:14–15 KJV 1900

14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. 15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

Seeing how Jesus had miraculously provided more than enough food for a crowd of thousands, the people wanted more from where that came from. They were determined to take Jesus by force and make Him their king. Although Jesus will be King, He knew all too well that it wasn’t yet His time, the cross had to come first.

You can imagine the intensity of this moment. Thousands of people are making their way to Jesus, comotion is stirring, and a quick decision needs to be made.

In the heat of the moment, Jesus sends the disciples off on a boat headed to Bethsaida, and sends the crowd back home. Jesus didn’t want the acclaim, the bright flashing lights and the cheers of the people.

B. Jesus’ Response - vs. 46 (NEW SLIDE)

Instead, He responded in retreat to His heavenly Father.

Mark 6:46 KJV 1900

46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

We can only imagine how much is rushing through His mind at this time; sorrow over the death of His cousin John the Baptist weighed heavy, not to mention the thousands of faces thronging for His attention left Him physically drained. Notice how Jesus handles Himself here.

With all these burdens, Jesus goes to a place of solitude in the mountain to pray.

Jesus’ example makes a lasting impression on needy people like you and I. If Jesus, God’s Son, the Creator of the universe, needed to bring His burdens to the Father, how much more do we! There will be times when we just need to find a place of solitude, tune out the noise and the distractions, and run into the arms of your heavenly Father.

Jesus was not the only One in distressing circumstances though, the disciples had a mess of their own to deal with, and they aren’t handling it so well...

II. Distress at Sea - Mark 6:47-49 (NEW SLIDE)

A. Alarming Circumstances - vs. 47-48 (NEW SLIDE)

Mark 6:47 KJV 1900

47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

(NEW SLIDE)

Explain the map:

- Starting spot: Somewhere around Capernaum

- Destination: Bethsaida

- Where at now: Middle of the sea...

- Finish: Gennesaret (vs. 53)

Disciples caught in a storm, and Jesus knew it!

Thanks to clues within the text, we know this event was happening just about the time of Passover, which means the night sky would be bright with a full moon. Jesus could very well see the chaos with the disciples...

Mark 6:48 KJV 1900

And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

Even further, Jesus waited all night before He’d help the disciples, it wasn’t until the 4th watch of the night (3-6AM) before Jesus went out to them. No wonder vs. 48 says they were toiling in rowing, these men had been fighting for their lives in the storm all night! Mark’s wording is strong here, these disciples weren’t just tired, they were tormented in their fight against the storm.

I’d even say that Jesus was deliberately allowing them to face this difficulty in the Sea.

“Jesus, why don’t you jump in and help those poor disciples out?! Can’t you see they’re dying?” Haven’t we all been in that same situation? “God, I’ve had enough of this fight! (Family pressure, sickness) Just take me out of this storm please!”

His ways are higher than ours. In different seasons of life, God will allow you to be stretched nearly to the point of breaking. We see difficulty as something that’s undesirable, something to be avoided at all costs. But in God’s point of view, these trials are needed so that we grow stronger. Instead of giving in to doubt and bitterness, ask, “What is God trying to accomplish through this trial? How am I supposed to react to all this?”

God pushes us to the point of breaking so that when we have no other option but run to Him.

But let’s not overlook God’s mercy here. Take note of the end of verse 48 when it says, “he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.” This was no random idea or some prank, Jesus desired to do this very miracle right before them. The wording here when it says “and would have passed them” shows intentionality, Jesus walked on the water with a specific purpose. I personally think Jesus did this because He wanted them to see His divine character in this crucial time. What else could be more encouraging in a storm like this than being assured that God is still near even in this storm?

God did the same thing with Moses. Back in Exodus 32, the whole camp of Israelites forsook Moses and turned their backs on God, crafting this golden calf they could worship. Like the disciples, Moses was at an all time low. There was just one thing that could pick him up, Exodus 33:18

Exodus 33:18 KJV 1900

18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

When you’re discouraged, what do you turn to? When you’re desperate, who do you call upon? We look everywhere for something that will aleviate the pain, or at least make us forget about if for a little while. We book that plane ticket to the Caribbean, hop onto the xbox again, or watch that tv series for the 4th time in a row. Nothing you’ve tried has worked yet; you’re exhausted, discouraged, and defeated. What do you need in these times? “God, let me see Your glory. Make me know Your presence like I never have before. Oh God, be near me.”

God’s will doesn’t always mean we escape difficulty, sometimes He allows it so we would find rest in His presence. Jesus wanted this for His disciples, that in this trying moment, they’d run to Him.

B. The Disciples Response - vs. 49 (NEW SLIDE)

Their response though, is not quite as pretty as we’d hope.

Mark 6:49 KJV 1900

49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

Open up a history book and you can find no end of creepy sailors tales back in that day of ghosts treading on the sea and strange figures scaring the toughest men. The popular Jewish belief was that if you saw a ghost at night time, you were doomed for some disaster. No doubt these thoughts were rushing in the disciples minds. But can we really look down on the disciples for being afraid?

Think of all the factors clouding their judgment...

Lots on their mind (Full ministry)

Exhaustion

We have a hard time functioning the next day after staying up for an 18 inning ball game, imagine staying up that whole time on a small boat in a stormy sea. Your senses are hindered, you desperately need food, water, and sleep.

No wonder they thought Jesus was a ghost!

You’re rowing for hours, and in the moonlit waters, you notice a figure. Wipe your eyes and tell yourself, “I must be going crazy, nothing could be out there in this storm!” But the figure gets closer every second, and he resembles more and more like a man. “”Now I’ve really gone crazy, is that.. someone walking on the water?” In utter astonishment, you watch Jesus pass right by you WALKING on WATER. You don’t see this every day folks.

Illustration: Now kids, and adults, if you’ve ever owned or been in a pool, you can’t tell me you haven’t tried to walk on water before. We had a pool back home and on summer days, I’d try to recreate this miracle for what felt like hours. I just thought if I got enough speed I could tread on the water. Has anyone here ever succeeded?

This is an absolute miracle, yet the disciples couldn’t see that…

III. Distress Relieved - Mark 6:50-52 (NEW SLIDE)

A. Comforting Assurance - vs. 50-51a (NEW SLIDE)

Jesus, seeing their confusion and their unbelief, immediately speaks words of comfort into their hearts. These words of reasurrance come with two imperative commands, two things these fear-filled people must do.

Be of good cheer: Be confident! have courage!

be not afraid: Don’t be frightened! Don’t be anxious!

“Be of good cheer? Don’t be afraid? Do you see what’s going on here? We are going to DIE in this storm and You’re telling us to relax?”

This command seems totally impossible to obey. You’re facing a storm with no signs of relief, and in these moments, we will be tempted to forget God and figure it out our own way. Forget what Jesus said, I’m going to keep rowing. How could we possibly be without fear in our difficulty? How can we have courage?

Three words.

“IT IS I” = “ego eimi” The “I AM” name of God. “I am that I am”, “I am the eternal one, the Creator, the all-knowing One, the all-powerful One, I never change and never will. You want peace? Fix your eyes on Me.”

Lasting peace is founded upon a proper understanding of the character of God. When you finally understand that you are in the hands of the all-knowing, all-powerful, everlasting “I AM”, what can a few waves do to you?

Remember what Isaiah says, Isaiah 26:3

Isaiah 26:3 KJV 1900

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.

Have you ever noticed the irony at play in our narrative? Here are the disciples, in the boat, shaking in their boots, and there is Jesus, literally ON the stormy waters, perfectly still. If anyone had the right to be scared, it was Jesus. Here’s the truth, your circumstances don’t create peace in your heart. That vacation you are wishing you were on won’t take your burdens away, repreave from your trial won’t take it away. Stop running to man-made solutions for God-sized problems. Peace is a matter of the heart, and Jesus calls us to Him for that peace we so desperately want. Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28–30 KJV 1900

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Only the great “I AM” has the power to free you from your burdens.

B. The Disciples Response - vs. 51b-52 (NEW SLIDE)

We can only imagine what this scene would have looked like when Jesus stepped into the boat, and everything is perfectly still. For hours you’ve been exerting yourself, and all of a sudden, it’s done!

Mark 6:51 KJV 1900

51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Jaws are dropped, and they are totally speechless, but not for good reasons.

Mark 6:52 KJV 1900

52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

We learn a sobering lesson from the disciples here. Faith is not a guarantee. Even the tightest knit group to Jesus hardened their hearts in response to what they saw that night. Friends, none of us are immune. It’s no guarantee that you or I will respond in faith in our trials and receive that assuring peace.

How will you respond in your storms of life? Will you resort to your own solutions? Or will you run into the arms of your Savior. Only one way will you find peace. What will it be?

Close in prayer.