Jeremy L. Berg

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41)

How many sermons have I both heard and preached myself on this passage?  What is the main message or application made with this story?  Answer: What are the storms in your life that you need God to calm?  What storms threaten to sink you? Do you faithfully turn to Jesus in your time of need?

Yet…I believe this is NOT the point of the story.  This is the not the message Mark is trying to get across to his readers.  So, what is the lesson for us?  I think we sometimes get it completely wrong, affirming in the disciples what Jesus rebukes.  Let me explain.

1. The disciples are not applauded for turning to Jesus in their time of need and asking Him to calm the storm.  In fact, they are rebuked by Jesus for their lack of faith.

Lesson: Often God desires us to have the faith to carry us through the storms rather than calming them for us.  Also, not all storms are life-threatening; and, as the saying goes, “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

2. Even though the disciples think they are not going to make it through the storm alive, Jesus knows better and is therefore able to sleep through the storm with supernatural confidence in God’s provision and protection.

Lesson: We bring a limited, imperfect perspective to our life’s circumstances.  Most often we can’t see the whole picture, and therefore should not panic too hastily.

3. The disciples are focused far more on their risky situation than the power and provision of the One who is with them in the boat.  The story highlights above all Christ’s sovereign power over even the winds and the waves.

Lesson: God is bigger than our biggest problem.

4. Jesus seems a bit too comfortable living on the edge, being in risk-filled, life or death situations and relying completely on the power of God.  The disciples are…well…so very human in this way.  They desire to avoid risky situations and play it safe. They hate storms and choppy waters.

Lesson: As we grow in our faith, we also grow more comfortable with living on the edge and learn to find peace amidst life’s storms — perhaps even to the point of sleeping through them.

So, before you preach another sermon about the God who calms the storm, let us listen afresh to this old story and remember that the disciples would have gotten a “better grade” if they had been willing to ride out the storm in radical, Kingdom faith rather than having Jesus calm it.

In fact, sometimes I believe God can do more with us when we’re in the midst of one of life’s storms….