Now Who’s in Control?
Opening Prayer
Jesus, I want to know and walk with You intimately. Help me to pay attention to what You care about.
Read Mark 4:35-41
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[35] That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” [36] Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. [37] A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. [38] Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” [39] He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. [40] He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” [41] They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What details are in the passage?What have the kingdom parables of the last few days taught us about Jesus and who he is? What difference should that make to those who are in the boat with him? The little eyewitness details are wonderful: the time of day (35); Jesus not having time to change (36); his sleeping on a cushion (38; why was there a cushion in a fishing boat?); the rudeness of the questioning (38). And then you can almost hear Jesus in his tiredness say to them, “Oh, for goodness” sake, haven’t you remembered anything I’ve just been teaching you? Haven’t you learned the secret of the kingdom of God?” (40). But what happens next makes us aware that they are beginning to realize who he is and what he’s come to do. What he can control and how he controls it points to the reality of his teaching about who he is (39,41). And yet the disciples’ response is – just like ours perhaps – a sense of terror (41). Some commentators think Mark also uses this story as an illustration for the early church – a ship was often used to represent the church in early Christian art. What might he have wanted those persecuted Christians to understand from this miracle? How does that apply to the church around the world today?
Apply
Reflect upon what you have learned about Jesus from this incident. Let it bring impact in your own life.
Closing prayer
Early in the morning, I will rise to seek You Lord. My soul longs for You alone.
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