The One Who Can Control the Storm

100The apostles, in a panic, wake Jesus up. Just as the captain of Jonah’s ship chewed him out for sleeping while they were perishing, so the apostles criticize Jesus as well. Mark says they called Him “Teacher.” Matthew 8:25 says “Lord.” These are terms of respect and honor.

But then they demand, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” They question His love and concern for them. Frustrated by what appears to be indifference to their plight and facing a desperate situation they have no hope of handling themselves, they lash out in a rude outburst rather than exhibiting faith in the One who has proven Himself trustworthy.

It pains me greatly to see myself in the disciples. Jesus has proven Himself faithful to me over and over, yet when caught by surprise and squeezed in a vice of trouble, I fume rather than show faith.

Spurgeon, the great Baptist preacher, said, “God is too wise to err, too good to be unkind; leave off doubting Him, and begin to trust Him, for in so doing, you will put a crown on His head” (Spurgeon, Spurgeon’s Sermons, 3:1857). Let’s crown Him in faith, not doubt Him in unbelief.

Mark 4:39

God and only God is thrice “omni.” He is omniscient: He knows all things (actual and potential). He is omnipresent: He always exists everywhere. He is omnipotent: He is all-powerful.

Jesus’ gracious humility is on display as He does not chasten the disciples for their less-than-charitable summons. In a simple, nonmagical statement He rebukes the wind and says to the sea, “Silence! Be still!”

The word “rebuke” can mean censure. It is the same word used in 1:25 when Jesus rebukes the demons! Could this storm have been demonically instigated? “Be still” carries the idea of “muzzle.” The idea is “be still and stay still.” The response of both wind and wave is immediate because their Master has spoken.

Here is our Lord’s deity on full and glorious display! Hurricane force winds are stopped with a single word. Only God could do this. Jesus must be God. This is the direction in which Jesus seeks to drive the disciples.

Mark 4:40

Jesus now turns from addressing the storm to addressing the disciples. He expresses a mild rebuke: “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?” By now they should have a greater comprehension and increased faith in101 His person. This was a golden teaching moment, but they came up short. In the eye of the storm, rather than trusting Him, the disciples accuse Jesus of forsaking them (v. 38). Unfortunately, this will not be the last time Jesus must point out their lack of faith (7:18; 8:17, 21, 33; 9:9). Until they see the resurrected Christ and fully understand what He did for them on the cross, they are going to struggle.

We, in contrast, have no excuse. We know Jesus is all-powerful and allknowing God. We know He has taken care of all our sin. We know He rose from the dead. We know He can be trusted no matter what! Trials and difficulties are divine appointments to strengthen our faith. So why are we still afraid? Do we still have no faith?

Mark 4:41

This story ends with the disciples’ asking a question every one of us must face.

The text says they were “terrified.” The fear of the disciples at what Jesus has done and who He might be exceeds the fear they had over the storm. The presence of God is far more frightening than the most destructive forces of nature. One can take your life. The other can claim your soul. They ask, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Despite their recent experiences with Jesus as He taught and performed miracles, they still aren’t sure just who He is.

This is the first of three boat scenes in Mark’s Gospel (cf. 6:45-52; 8:14-21). Each is associated with a miracle. Each is a challenge to understand and settle the identity of Jesus. Each is adequate for them to draw the conclusion we must draw as well—“You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

The famous atheist Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) was asked what he would say to God if he discovered upon his death that God existed and he was wrong. His response was: “I will say, ‘Not enough evidence, God, not enough evidence’” (Dawkins, Delusion, 141). That excuse will not fly. The evidence is in and it is overwhelming. The time to settle the issue is now.

The parallels between Jesus stilling the storm and the story of Jonah should not surprise us. Jesus called Himself the true Jonah in Matthew 12:40. He is the true Jonah who was consumed by the stormy sea of God’s wrath as He hung on the cross. He endured the storm so that we could find peace and be saved. Jesus calmed the only storm that could truly drown us: God’s wrath102 and judgment. He went down in the storm only to emerge three days later as the One who stilled the just and righteous wrath of God against sinners. “Who then is this?” Ask the demons (Mark 5:7)—they know Him! And we can know Him and trust Him regardless of our circumstances.