Jesus Calms
For Meditation
So far in this series, we've seen Mark gradually revealing who Jesus is, showing us His ways, and inviting us to join in the way of Jesus. I wonder what you've seen so far that has surprised you?
This week, Mark will make another remarkable and spectacular revelation about the character and identity of Jesus through the familiar story of Jesus calming the storm. Last week Mark revealed that Jesus is the source of all rest. Through this week's story, we will see that Jesus is the source of all power. Mark will also challenge us to see that God does allow storms to come in the lives of those He loves, but that those who belong to Him don't have to fear in the middle of those storms.
The last two years (or more) have felt like wave after crashing wave. We're all in the middle of a storm of some kind or another. How do you imagine Jesus relating to you in the middle of the storm you're in right now? Do you imagine him asleep in the boat, not caring whether you drown? Do you imagine him unaware of your storm? Do you imagine him waiting on the opposite shore, expecting you to make it through the storm on your own? In preparation for worship this week, I invite you to spend a moment considering this question, and come ready to receive God's word for you.
Mark 4:35–41
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!”