Hostile Forces Meet a Fearless Faith

Mark 4:35-41 This is one of 4 special stories that encounter hostile forces. Some forces are of spiritual order, others are of natural order.

These stories connect to the previous teachings regarding the Kingdom of God. Jesus not only speaks of the Kingdom, but then goes on to live out what he spoke.

1. It is the same Day, but evening

2. They depart, “as is”, in the boat used for the teaching.

3. Spiritual Forces take various entities. Here it is “natural”.

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible B. Jesus’ Itinerant Ministry in Galilee (3:7–6:29)

Jesus is evidently exhausted, for we find him “in the stern, sleeping on a cushion” (v. 38, a small detail from an eyewitness, probably Peter). No sooner has he fallen asleep than hostile powers whip up a furious squall that threatens to swamp the boat and terrorizes the disciples, who rudely interrupt Jesus’ sleep with an ironic question, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” The irony lies in the fact that he, more than any other, cares whether they perish in a sense far more ultimate than the immediate threat to their lives. Nonetheless, Jesus rises to answer their request, attesting his power over nature as he recapitulates the deliverance of Israel in the exodus and the crossing of the Red Sea to subdue the wilderness powers

4. Fear challenges Faith! Here is the 2nd Force encountered—EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL/PERSONAL

We often focus on the storm.. it was real. So is the storm in the Disciples. 2 forces are at work here. One to destroy the body, physical living of our travelers. The 2nd is to destroy the confidence in Jesus that has begun to grow. Think of the parable of the seed… Fear wants to choke out faith.

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible B. Jesus’ Itinerant Ministry in Galilee (3:7–6:29)

Jesus rises to answer their request, attesting his power over nature as he recapitulates the deliverance of Israel in the exodus and the crossing of the Red Sea to subdue the wilderness powers. The disciples have not yet discerned the true nature of Jesus the Son of God or sufficiently believed in him (they are not ready to be sent out with divine power until 6:7). Jesus rebukes them as he rebukes the wind and waves, challenging their terror before natural forces with an even greater terror, the terror of their not yet having the faith he expects of them,

…the faith that Jesus expects...

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible B. Jesus’ Itinerant Ministry in Galilee (3:7–6:29)

he rebukes those, as did Jesus, who are enervated by fear and self-concern when the Son of God is standing by their side and calling them to faith. Like Jesus, Mark calls for fearless trust in the Lord in spite of terrorizing circumstances, for by his powerful presence Jesus “rebukes and silences” demons both in persons and in the hostile wilderness (the same two verbs are used in 1:25 and 4:39).