Mark 4:35-41 The storms of life

Joel and Mary Nadel, Covenant Church

From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”

Pray

House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text

Mark 4:35-41

Mark 4:35-41

Mark 4:35–41 NASB95

On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Introduction and Review:

The beginning of Jesus Ministry

The Gospel message

His healing and teaching ministries

Building the kingdom of God - parables of the soils, the grain/corn, the mustard seed

Today - the reality that Jesus is God, made man

A storm on the sea of Galilee

While crossing it, Jesus performs a miracle, taking control of the weather

This would have gotten the disciples attention

four were fisherman (Peter, Andrew James and John) - knew the dangers of storms here

This account contains much instruction and is important

Mark 4:35-37

Mark 4:35–37 NASB95

On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.

Storms are a fact of life for Christians

Christian faith and service do not exempt us from storms

Twelve disciples faithfully and obediently following Jesus wherever He went

They were helping his ministry, listening to His teaching

They were telling others about about Jesus, in spite of the opposition of the Jewish leadership

They were not afraid to give up everything for Jesus

If we are true Christians, everything will not be smooth on our way to heaven

sicknesses, losses, deaths, disappointments like anyone else

Jesus promised us pardon and forgiveness, grace and in the end glory in heaven

Never promised we wouldn't have trouble along the way - loves us too much to promise that

We learn many lessons when we experience troubles

Shows our weakness physically, emotionally, intellectually

Draws us to the throne of grace - forces us to rely on Jesus

Takes our focus off the world and makes us look forward to heaven

When we come to the Lord at the end of our lives, we will say “it is good for me that I was afflicted”

We will thank God for every storm and trouble

Mark 4:38

Mark 4:38 NASB95

Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Jesus was truly a man

Jesus was truly a man (as well as God)

When the storm began and waves started coming in, Jesus was in the stern, asleep

He had a body exactly like ours - hunger, thirst, suffer pain - no wonder his body needed rest

had been preaching in open air all day, needed sleep when the evening came

Another important lesson, Jesus is as much man as He is God

Understands us, knows the difficulties we face, has felt them all

Understands when we call out to Him for help in this hard world

He is the perfect Saviour and Lord for men and women who are tired and suffer aches and pains - who need someone to comfort and love them every night

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Heb 4:15). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.Bringing it home

Mark 4:39

Mark 4:39 NASB95

And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.

Jesus, because He is God, has the power of God

Jesus has almighty power

Here we see Him doing the impossible

He speaks to the wind and it obeys

He speaks to the waves and they obey - submit to Him

He says to a raging storm “peace, be still” and it does

This is the power and words of the one who created the universe, created our world, created us

The weather knwe the voice of its Master and was quiet immediately

Another important lesson - With Jesus, nothing is impossible

No stormy emotions, like anger, frustration, disappointment are so strong that He cannot calm them

No one can feel so badly about themselves, that He cannot comfort them and bring peace

Christ can do miracles on our hearts - No need to lose heart, fear for our lives, fear for the future, if we commit ourselves and our souls to Christ for safekeeping

Christ will carry us through every danger - help us overcome any enemy

So what if our family opposes us? So what if neighbors laugh at us? So what if our living conditions are hard?, So what if we suffer powerful temptations?

It is all nothing, if Christ is on our side and we are in the boat with Him.

Greater is He that is for us, than all that are against us.

Mark 4:40-41

Mark 4:40–41 NASB95

And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Finally, Our Lord Jesus is very patient and loving in dealing with His children

In this case we see His disciples showing a great lack of faith, and showing great and unnecessary

They have forgotten all the miracles and care He has given them in recent days

They cannot see past their present trouble

Panicked, awoke Him, “Don’t your care if we die?”

This is another great lesson - Jesus is very concerned for us and shows us great kindness

Psalm 103:13

Psalm 103:13 NASB95

Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

He does not deal with Christians according to their sins - He understands their weakness

He knows all our shortcomings

He knows our weaknesses in faith, hope, love, courage

All this and He doesn’t reject us - He puts up with us

He loves us to the end

He picks us up when we fall

He forgives us when we sin

He is patient beyond our understanding

When He sees our hearts are right, it is to His glory to overlook our short-comings

Bringing it home

Let us remember that Jesus never changes

His heart is the same now, as it was that night he crossed the sea of Galilee and stilled the storm

High in heaven, He remains at the right Hand of God

Still sympathising, still almighty, still caring, still patient

We need to show the same love and patience to our brothers and sisters

They may make many mistakes, be annoying, but if Jesus still loves them, shouldn’t we?

If we have not trusted in Christ, then there is much reason for despair - for we are doomed. But there is hope: turn to Christ

For Christians: Let’s not be hard on ourselves - we may be weak, frail and moody, but if we truly believe on Christ, we can take comfort.

Question is not: Are we perfect like the angels?

Question is: Are we real and true in our commitment to Christ? Do we truly repent and believe the gospel?

Prayer

Discussion