Mark 4:35-41, Psalm 31:15, Philippians 2:13

Jeff Cutts reflects on trusting Jesus in the midst of storms

Jeff Cutts

'As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"' Mark 4:35-41

The Sea of Galilee is a lake about 13 miles long and seven miles wide; a large expanse of water that can turn windy and stormy. As you read this story remember that some of the disciples were fishermen, experienced sailors and would have known better than to sail out onto the Sea of Galilee when a storm was coming.

The storm came up quickly and it was so severe that waves were coming into the boat and swamping it; they were in great danger of sinking. The disciples, even the experienced sailors, panicked as this was happening. Maybe the storm was worse than anything they had ever experienced before, as they certainly thought they would die and during all of this, Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the boat; until in fear and panic the disciples wake Jesus up.

This story can be found in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke and each puts a slightly different slant on how the disciples cried out for help. Luke says one of the disciples cried out to Jesus that they were going to drown. Matthew records a cry for help, "Lord save us!" and Mark, as we read above, almost carries a sense of anger that Jesus was asleep, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown"?

As I have experienced God's goodness and faithfulness over time there are things that would have rocked me in the past that I know I can trust God with today as my faith in God has grown. Yet even after many years as a Christian, following Jesus, praying and worshipping, life gets that bit too stormy for me sometimes and I gulp at the wind and the waves. Sometimes I realise that things are out of my control and I still find myself shouting to the Lord, "I'm going to drown! Lord save me!" Sometimes I get angry, "Don't you care..?"

When he is awoken, Jesus quickly muzzles the wind and the waves, simply speaking out and commanding them to, "Be still". He shows his authority over all of nature in those few words as the storm immediately turns to calm.

In the presence of such power and authority we should know that whether the circumstances around us are stormy or calm, that we are ultimately safe; our times are in his hands (Psalm 31:15), and that, 'It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose'. (Philippians 2:13)

The storm in the story here didn't arise because of the disciples' disobedience or sin; they were obeying Jesus' direction to cross the lake. It can be the same with our situations. If a storm swells up in life, it is not always because we have missed the mark or rebelled. Think about this, because it's all too easy to look at people experiencing stormy times and ask like the disciples did of the blind man, 'Who sinned here to cause this to happen?' - storms happen naturally.

Jesus challenged his disciples not because the storm blew up, but for not trusting in him. Perhaps it was for trusting in their own natural sailing abilities; perhaps for not recognising and depending on his power and authority in their crisis when they realised they were not in control.

What storm are you facing today? Who are you going to put your trust in?

Jesus is in the boat. Do not be afraid.