Mark 4:35-41 NRSVue
35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But 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?” 39And waking up, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Be silent! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
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Reflection on Mark 4:35-41
Inspiration from 2027-01-30 Daily Prayer
The disciples are afraid, not so much of the storm, which has been stilled, but perhaps they realise that Jesus means what he says, that he wants them to become agents of change, that this kingdom of God stuff is real and that they will be the ones to go forth and announce it. Would they not be better off heading back to the safety of the lives they left behind?
We might recognise points of our own pilgrimage in that same boat, the wind roaring, the waves rising and Jesus apparently dead to the world. Maybe the real miracle in this story is the calming presence of Jesus, which stills the panic of the disciples and enables them to take control of themselves once more.
Further reflection
Even in the presence of Jesus, with the memory of his words fresh in their minds, the disciples doubted. Like them, I bring my doubts and questions to Jesus and listen for his answer.
Jesus was asleep, trusting his friends to manage the boat. What confidence Jesus has in me, encouraging me to act and speak in his name!
Lord, I know no better proof of your health and strength than this scene. You had the gift of sleeping in any situation. You slept on the cushion in the stern while the waves were beating and almost swamping the boat. And when you awoke, your brought calm. To voyage with you is to voyage in peace even in a storm.
They were asking a question which they would ask again, ‘Who is this man?' Being obeyed by wind and sea is a statement about being more than human. Our involvement with Jesus and our engagement with him in our lives will often bring that question to the fore. In prayer we grow in heart-knowledge of Jesus, not always being able to put words on our faith in him. Like the apostles, we know that he is a mystery - at once Son of God and son of the earth.
In the trials and troubles of life, Jesus often seems to be asleep, heedless of my plight. In prayer, I will call out to him and, no doubt, I will hear his voice saying, "Peace! Be still! Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?"