The Sleepy Savior Stills a Stormy Sea: Mark 4:35-41

Intro

Over the last few weeks, you have been introduced to the content of Jesus’ preaching and crowd ministry. You have witnessed how Jesus’ preaching of parables both reveals and conceals Him. You have seen how His preaching invited many responses, but only one was correct. You have seen how Jesus would carefully disclose the mysteries to His disciples, who like the crowds were often puzzled by this great man of mystery. Our text this morning conveys many of these same themes: Jesus’ mystery, authority, and the responses He invites. Often the identity of someone is revealed by their deeds as much as their words. What do Jesus’ acts in this story teach us about Him? What do the actions of the disciples reveal about them? These questions will be answered by retelling and then applying the story.

Story

To begin, Mark tells us of a stormy sea (35-37)

After our Lord had preached to the crowds from the boat, He called out to His disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” They dismissed the crowd and took the boat He was preaching from to other side. This boat was likely 7 feet wide and 26 feet long with a center sail, sitting around 15 men. They weren’t alone. Other boats were on the Sea of Galilee. A great gust of wind came. It stirred the sea, which wasn’t uncommon for the Sea of Galilee. Waves were pounding the boat and water was already beginning to fill it up. What would come of the Disciples and their master amid the stormy sea?

After the stormy sea, Mark introduces us to a sleepy Savior (38-39)

While the sea raged, the boat took on water, and the disciples panicked, Jesus laid asleep on a cushion on a platform in the back of the boat. It is worth knowing that some of Jesus’s disciples like Peter, Andrew, James, and John were experienced fishermen who knew how to sail in a storm, yet even they were terrified by this storm. Jesus in sleeping, displays the type of resolve and rest that faith produces (Job 11:18–19; Pss 3:5; 4:8; 121:3–4; Prov 3:23–26). Moreover, He evidences His true humanity. The disciples in their terror and panic call out to the sleepy savior, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Their call conveys that their fear of perishing robs them of the peace that is available in the presence of the Savior. Jesus awakes and rebukes the storm. He says, “Peace! Be still!” The gusts of wind that came earlier were followed by a great calm. The wind and the sea obey the savior’s commands.

Mark has shown us the stormy sea and the sleepy savior, lastly, he shows us some scared sailors (40-41)

After the winds and sea had calmed, obeying His rebuke, Jesus turned to His disciples. They were scared sailors. Jesus asked them two piercing questions: “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” These questions get to the heart of the disciples problem. It wasn’t knowledge they lacked. It was faith. It was that what they had seen the Lord do and heard the Lord say hadn’t descended from their heads to their hearts. It was that they doubted and were afraid. The disciples don’t respond to Jesus’s question. No, they are still taken aback from what He had just done. In fact, the fear they had for the stormy sea is replaced by an even greater fear for the sleepy savior who rebuked it. They asked each other, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” This section leaves Mark’s original readers and us with a question, will the fear of the disciples’ lead to faith? We shall see, but for now we see Jesus is still a stranger to His closest followers.

Transition

At this point, let me provide a biblical answer to the disciples’ question: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Scripture is clear that Yahweh, the God of the Bible, is the maker of the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1). He made the dry land and the seas (Jonah 1:9). He exercises absolute authority over them. Therefore, He can bring a great tempest and calm the greatest storm (Gen 8:1; Job 26:12; Pss 65:7; 74:13–14; 89:9; 93:3–4; 104:5–9; 106:9; 107:23–32; 114:3; Isa 50:2; Nah 1:4; cf. Isa 43:1–10). Only Yahweh, who made and governs the seas, can control them. Jesus controls the seas. Therefore, Jesus is Yahweh. Jesus is Yahweh in the flesh, coming to save His people.

The revelation of Jesus as Yahweh in the flesh, coming to save His people calls for response that goes beyond the terror of the disciples. It calls for faith, that is trust and reliance for salvation upon Him. So, the big idea and main charge of this text and message is have faith in Jesus (repeat). Such a faith in Jesus has many results in the life of the one who has it. Let me give you three.

Application

1. Have faith in Jesus, that you may rest well

Jesus is both the example and object of faith. Him sleeping in the boat during a great storm is a remarkable example of what comes from faith. Consider what Peter says about our Lord’s faith (1 Pet 2:21-25):

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus stood resolved in the face of His accusers because He believed His Father to be good, just, and faithful. He believe that He would die and take up His life again. He believed that God would do the same for those whom He redeemed in His death. We may rest like and because of Jesus. We who were formerly God’s enemies have been brought into His family. He is for us and all that is against us cannot stand against Him. So if you are worried about life, death, money, or your eternity, have faith in Jesus, He will give you rest.

2. Have faith in Jesus, that you may fear not

The disciples provide an example of what it looks like to not have faith. They were fearful and doubtful though the very God of Peace was in their presence bodily. However, these same cowardly disciples would be the foundation for the Kingdom of God established in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Many of these same cowardly disciples would endure trials, tribulations, persecutions, and death for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom because their fear turned into faith. Faith takes hold of the love of God in Christ and cast out fear, for in Christ God forgives sinners and grants eternal life. Indeed, Jesus, who made the seas and governs them, can bring those who believe in Him through the most violent waters. Whatever stormy waters come against you in this life, Jesus sits as risen Lord and will bring you through them. Do you wan’t hope in trouble? Do you want to not live in fear of life, death, and judgement? Have faith in Jesus, that you may (1) rest well and (2) fear not.

3. Have faith in Jesus, that you may know Him

Knowing Jesus is one of the greatest blessings of faith. Those who have faith in Christ are given a greater and more intimate knowledge of Him. He becomes a close friend to them. He dwells within them by His Holy Spirit. He prays for them. He speaks to them through His Word. The benefits of knowing Christ are manifold, but knowing Him at the very least puts all other things in perspective. Jesus stands as the most important thing in life. He is Lord and Savior. He is your rock and joy. Knowing Christ will supply you with energy to obey God and endure hardship. Furthermore, it will help you talk about Him with your lost neighbors. If your soul knows and loves Christ, talking about Him will become as easy as talking about your work, children, friends, grandchildren, and hobbies. Christ is infinitely more fascinating and valuable than all those things. Do you want to know Jesus? Have faith in Him and you will rest well, fear not, and know Him.

Conclusion

Jesus is mysterious and authoritative, isn’t He? The disciples are confused and frightened, aren’t they? Mark has told us of the stormy sea, sleepy savior, and scared sailors. I charged you, in light of the fact that Jesus is Yahweh in the flesh, who has come to save His people, to have faith in Him. I told you that having faith in Jesus would have three results, namely you may rest well, fear not, and know Him.

Unbeliever, you have heard much of Jesus this morning. Faith in Him alone will grant you forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Faith in Him alone will grant you the ability to truely rest and fear not. If you want to know this Jesus, you must first have faith in Him. So, unbeliever, will you place your faith in Him today?

Vista Baptist Church, our hope to continue and thrive as a church is dependent on nothing else other than our risen Lord. We may go through storms as a congregation, but He will see us through to the end. He is present with us. So let us hold fast to our faith and declare Him unashamedly.

Yes, let us have faith in Jesus. Let’s pray.