You're Sleeping While I'm Dying!

In chapter 4 of Mark's gospel, Jesus is teaching through parables to the crowds. This chapter specifically points out that He always used parables in His public ministry, but while alone would explain them to the disciples. Fast forwarding to the end of the chapter in verses 35-41, we find an interesting situation arise.

'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. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”'

There's some awesome life applications contained in these 7 verses. First, it was Jesus' idea to get in the boat and cross over. Oftentimes when we have storms come up we are quick to assign blame. Well what did you do wrong that you're in this spot? You must've been irresponsible in some way. I bet there's some sin you're being punished for. No! Bad things are not always punishments. Storms and trials are not always judgements for shortcomings. Storms can arise just because we were obedient to Jesus. God called us to do something or go somewhere, and a storm followed. Storms aren't always proof that you are out of God's will, but actually that you ARE in God's will.

Secondly, Jesus made this request to cross to the Sea of Galilee in the evening. The Sea of Galilee isn't huge by comparison to other bodies of water. It's roughly 8 miles wide and 12 miles long. But it's positioning, allows for sudden storms or squalls to appear at any given moment. There is a risk in crossing over the Sea of Galilee that even experienced fishermen, like many of the disciples, understood. Then add to this that Jesus asked to do this as darkness was approaching. We shouldn't have been surprised something was going to happen. The scene was being set up. Isn't that what God does? When He makes a request it's not always the best time or feels safest for us. When He asks us to step out and do something it's not usually under the best conditions in our lives.

When I think back to when God told me it was time to be a stay at home mom, I fought with God. I didn't wrestle about the calling but, about the timing. "God this is the worst possible time to do this! Did You not see our bank account?!" Yet, over and over He confirmed what we were hearing. It was time to leave the safety on the land and get in the boat with an unpredictable sea. God is not in the comfort business. He doesn't base His decisions on what is easiest, but what is best. It's also not about what costs us the least because no matter what we ever give up, He's already given the most. True trust and faith is that when He calls, we go.

Lastly in this text as the storm arose and the boat is taking a beating, Jesus is asleep. The disciples go to wake Him up. What's interesting is how they address Him and why they woke Him. In Mark it says they called Him Teacher and asked Him if He cared they were about to drown. In other gospels they call Him Master (Luke 8:24) and Lord (Matthew 8:24). At first glance when you read Matthew's retelling it seems like they actually understood who Jesus was and that's why they woke Him, but no. Each retelling ends like Mark 4:41 with the disciples wondering “Who is this man?”. Who is this man that this storm obeyed Him?

The point I want to emphasize is that they missed who Jesus was in that moment. As the storm came and Jesus slept, all they saw was Jesus the man, Jesus the teacher, Jesus the master, and Jesus the Lord little "l". They didn't recognize that God was in the boat with them. So when they woke Jesus, it wasn't for Him to deliver them, it was why aren't you freaking out with us! They only saw in the natural and not the spiritual.

In the natural the waves of life may be crushing your boat. You're under the weight of debt, sickness is racking your body, and your family seems out of control. Don't forget Who's in the boat with you! When people want you to freak out and respond impulsively because they are freaking out and acting impulsively, remember Who is in the boat with you. When the enemy is poking you to do something impulsive tell Him "No. Jesus is in the boat with Me!"

Jesus slept during the storm. He was operating in peace and rest. In those moments that push us to be reactors remember, Jesus is our peace. (Ephesians 2:14) Jesus also ushers us to rest. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come and exchange it for rest. We are able in the midst situations of unrest and turmoil to have peace and rest!

Moreover, keep in mind that we are not like the world. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus is in my boat so, this situation isn't unchangeable. I have not run out of options or resources. Jesus lives within me so I always have access to that same power and faith that stopped the storm in Mark 4.

In Mark 4:35-41 I see a picture of myself. I see how many times I have been those scared disciples fearing I'm about to perish. I have been that reactor forgetting Who is in my boat. I have been that disciple only living by what I can see and forgetting the spiritual realm. God has sent His word and left us stories like this for reflection but, also action. God I see myself in this story, but I want to change my story. God I'm going to walk by faith and not just by sight. Remember today that in any storm you face you might feel alone at times, but you are never truly alone. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, are in the boat with you. This fear opportunity is now a faith opportunity. You can embrace, weather, and speak to the storm because you are not alone.