June 3, 2015; Mark 4: 35-41

-Mark 4:35-41(NIV)

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!”

 Reflection: Humor and Deliverance

It is good and right to consider the Bible as indeed the Word of God.  That said, you cannot ignore the humor on our text for today.  Lives were in danger.  I can imagine the disciples yelling and bailing water.  In complete fear for their lives.  In the midst of this great calamity, Jesus is sleeping like a baby down in the hull of the boat.  God was asleep on the job at this great moment of need.  If you can imagine the scene, you must admit it is a bit funny.  Yet, when the disciples wake Jesus, he speaks merely three words and it all stops.  From fear to solitude, tumult to calm, Jesus commands even nature itself.  Then the rebuke quickly follows, again- like so many times before- Jesus chides them for a lack of faith.  Confusing at best for the disciples.  They had just travelled from near death to rebuke for falling short on their faith.  We cannot help but relate.  Life’s storms rage every day.  Some bringing a gentle but inconvenient rain and some violent tornadoes.  We must, as Jesus challenges the disciples, strive to have faith, regardless of how rough life’s waters may become.  The reality is- “God’s got this!”  If we live in this truth, our approach to life will be transformed.

Questions:

What is the biggest storm in your life right now?

How can the presence of Jesus change your view?

Noon Question:

I’ve heard it said that “God does not always change our present situations but he always gives us the strength to make it through them.”  How might this change your life today?

Evening Questions:

After your day, how is Jesus present in your life?

What “storms” do you see brewing on the horizon of your life?  How will our text today change the way you endure these?