Mark 4:35-41

Conditions on the Lake

the wind on Stockton Lake can be unpredictable because it is surrounded by hills.

Galilee was surrounded by mountains and was infamous for sudden squalls.

141 feet deep.

Jonah 1:4 CSB

But the Lord threw a great wind onto the sea, and such a great storm arose on the sea that the ship threatened to break apart.

In Matthew the storm is described as megas Seismos a large earthquake…the same 2 words used again in Matthew when the stone is rolled away at the tomb.

Here it is described with the Greek word for hurricane.

they had these leather cushions that were used for rowing.

Jesus sleeping displays His humanity and divinity.

Jesus fell asleep because He was fully human (was genuielly tired/exausted) But he able to stay asleep because He was fully God (had perfect faith and peace even in the storm).

Jesus has been teaching but this is the first time they call him Teacher.

Jesus spoke to the storm the same way He spoke to the demon in 1:25 of Mark. Be still is be muzzled. Rebuked mean ordered. He bossed that sea.

Mark (1) The Stilling of the Storm (4:35–41)

If there is any allusion to Jonah, the story shows Jesus’ superiority to him. Also the account pictures Jesus as doing what in the Old Testament only God could do

After Jesus calmed the storm He calmed His disciples. He rebuked the storm then rebuked His disciples.

Jesus had explained everything to the disciples and so they understood on a intellectual level but yet their confidence in Jesus ability to save them was lacking.

Mark (1) The Stilling of the Storm (4:35–41)

Mark likely intended to indicate that faith is more than intellectual assent, that it is trust in a Person.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 2 Tim 1:7

If fear does not come from God where does it come from? It comes from the devil.

Maybe that is why Jesus rebukes the sea with the same words He used to preform an exorcism in chapter 1:25

Mark (1) The Stilling of the Storm (4:35–41)

The entire story reassured the believers who had already experienced popular abuse and were facing the prospect of official persecution. Although Jesus may not always appear to be present or to care, he will deliver his people who are in various kinds of trouble. Therefore his disciples should never doubt.

Then rang the bells more loud and deep God is not dead, nor does he sleep (peace on earth, peace on earth) The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, good will to men

They were afraid of the storm it was not until they were looking across that glassy smooth water that their fear was well placed. They developed a fear of Jesus but they should have had a healthy fear of Jesus all along. By the way look at how the book of Mark ends in Chapter 16:8. One of the themes in Mark is the Fear of the Lord.

Transition to application: - Life is full of storms, crisis, as Matthews gospel would put it earth quakes.

you got marriage problems, Health problems, Work problems, car repairs, layoffs, Your air conditioner dies on vacation.

You are going along in life and everything is great and you might even feel close to God, like you are in the same boat with Him and everything, when all of a sudden BOOOOUUMMMPPPPPWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....like a crash test dummy in slow motion.

Conclusion: I wonder if God brings storms into our lives because it provides us with an opportunity to remind ourselves of who He is. Remember the disciples question…Who is this man.

What do you fear? The storm or the Lord?

The world is full of trouble. Stillness and peace are found in Jesus Christ.

Where are you on that boat? Panicking because Jesus is asleep? We have come to that place where we are standing with the disciples looking out across the calm moonlit surface of the water asking yourself “who is this Man?”

I don’t know what kind of storms life will blow your way this week. I am not a weather man but I have lived long enough to know that the forecast is not good. The forecast of life seldom calls for sunny skies and smooth sailing.

But I can forecast this… you are not going to sink .....nope you are not going to sink.

BIG IDEA: You are not going to sink if you are in the same boat as Jesus.