Bible Passage: Mark 4:35-41

I. Introductory considerations (4:35-36)

1. After a daylong ministry in Galilee, Jesus decided to sail to another place in the evening
2. From Mark 5:1, Jesus was going to go to Gedarenes, one of the Greek cities of Decapolis
3. This is Jesus’ first recorded trip to a non-Jewish territory
4. Though Mark does not compare Jesus with Jonah, there seems to have some intentional narrative parallels between them (cf. Jonah 1:1-16)

This short passage has three obvious sections—the word “great” is the marker of each section

a. A great storm (4:37)
b. A great calm (4:39)
c. A great fear (4:41)

II. A great storm (4:37 Now a great windstorm developed, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped)

1. The unexpected crisis after a day of busy ministry!

a. It came suddenly with no warning
b. The waves buffeted the boat— it is the relentless pounding of one wave after another
c. The boat could potentially be drowned
d. It’s a rare phenomenon in waters like Galilee
e. Storm hit the disciples even when Jesus was with them

2. In the midst of this crisis, Jesus was sleeping on a cushion in the stern of the boat (verse 38)

a. This is the only place where we read Jesus “sleeping”—in the midst of a life-threatening storm!
b. Does it mean that Jesus was unconcerned about the situation?
c. Was it intentional that Jesus was sleeping?

3. Despite their expertise in this water body, the disciples were unable to handle their crisis

a. The disciples were taken by surprise by the suddenness of the storm
b. They sounded desperate and frustrated, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?” (verse 38)
c. Jesus’ question “Why are you cowardly/fearful?” (cf. verse 40)
d. Situations like this show us what we are with respect to our faith!

III. The great calm γαλήνη μεγάλη (4:39 So he got up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Be quiet! Calm down!” Then the wind stopped, and it was dead calm)

1. Jesus responded to the cry of His disciples—“He got up”
2. The rebuke of the wind “Be quiet! Calm down!” as if He was rebuking a person (personification of wind and waves)—it reflects exorcism (cf. Mark 1:25)
3. In the first century world, demons and evil spirits were believed to be behind natural inclement weather—cf. Psalm 89:9 You rule over the proud sea. When its waves surge, you calm them
4. These passages demonstrate that only God has authority over wind, waves, and oceans

IV. The storm becomes a teaching moment (verses 40-41)

1. By quietening the wind and waves, Jesus teaches two things:

a. that He is sovereign over these natural forces
b. that He is concerned about the wellbeing of His disciples

2. Only God could control wind and waves according to the Old Testament
3. Jesus controls them; therefore, Jesus is God

V. The great fear “They were overwhelmed (they feared with great fear) by fear and said to one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and sea obey him!” (4:41)

1. Now, disciples’ focus changed from the life-threatening storm to Jesus
2. Jesus appears to be a stranger to his disciples

a. What is this? 1:27 He even commands the unclean spirits and they obey him
b. Who is this? 4:41
c. Having witnessed deliverance, healing of the leper, paralytic, and the man with withered hands, the disciples should have understood who Jesus is

3. Jesus used the storm to reveal who He is?

a. Psalm 65:7: You calm the raging seas and their roaring waves
b. Psalm 89:9: You rule over the proud sea. When its waves surge, you calm them
c. Psalm 106:9:He shouted at the Red Sea and it dried up; he led them through the deep water as if it were a desert
d. Psalm107:29 They cried out to the LORD in their distress; he delivered them from their troubles. He calmed the storm, and the waves grew silent
e. Jesus is God, who listens to their cry and calms the storms of life

VI. Lessons

1. Security is not in the absence of wind and waves, but in the presence of Jesus in the boat
2. Jesus prefers His disciples to have faith over fear “he said to them, “Why are you cowardly? Do you still not have faith?” (4:40)
3. The content of their faith needs to be Jesus Himself:

a. Jesus is sovereign over wind and waves (the person of Jesus)
b. Jesus is not indifferent to the suffering of his followers

Take Away:

Replace your fear with faith in Jesus who is in your boat