Mark’s Gospel 4:35-41 Calming the Storm http://www.stgregoryoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/St.-Mark.jpg

Psalm 107:23-32 “Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity; they reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their wits’ end.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress; he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.”

Mark 4:1-2 Such a very large crowd gathered around him that Jesus got into a boat on the sea and sat there … and began to teach them many things. … 35-41 When evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm (hurricane, per Edwards, 149) arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Do you think Mark read Psalm 107 before he sat down to document this story??

God’s mastery over the sea is a constant image throughout Scripture, not just the Psalms. God brings order and calm to the sea as the very act of creation in Genesis 1. God parts the sea so Israel can cross in safety, first in Exodus 14 and again in Joshua 3. God calms the sea when Jonah ceases to run from his call. Surely Jesus knows his disciples will recall all of this when he chooses to calm the wind and the sea on that particular day.

If only we had more of their conversation recorded If only we had more of their conversation recorded! When they asked each other, “Who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?” -- what did they say???? Is THIS when they read Psalm 107 to each other?? “They cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress; he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.” v.28

I also wonder about the people in the other boats I also wonder about the people in the other boats. Did you notice this part? Verse 36b. “Other boats were with him.”

Were they filled with friends? Or just fans? Family still trying to save him from himself? Or foes who wanted to sink his ship?? Who scrambled to find a boat and follow Jesus when he sailed away?? What did they want? Are they curious? Still sick and in need of healing? Hungry? Compelled to hear what he’ll say next?

And what did they think as they pursued Jesus and found themselves caught up in a chaotic mess of a storm?? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.StormLiveWallpaperHD

What do you think when it’s your boat and your storm? I go straight to “I should have been able to avoid this.” I should have stayed on shore, or better yet, at home. I should have taken sailing lessons. I should have seen the signs and piloted away from the storm. If I figure out what mistake I made, I can make it not have happened. How about you?

Storms happen. To all people, everywhere, all the time Storms happen. To all people, everywhere, all the time. And here’s where Jesus’ disciples got it exactly right for once. The only question they spent their energy on is this one.

Where is Jesus?

Where is Jesus? Closer than you think Unafraid In control Compassionate Surprised that we always forget Still there when the storm has passed

Not hindered in his ongoing work by either the storm, or our fears Not hindered in his ongoing work by either the storm, or our fears. Jesus is always at work in the world and invites us to join him. Very next verses: Mark 5:1-2 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him.