A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Mark 4:37
This week in Bible studies at COC, we’ve been looking at the story in Mark 4 where Jesus calms the storm. I’ve read this passage before, and each time I read it I am left with more questions than understanding. I ask questions like these:
Even though Jesus slept, was his presence in the boat enough to save the disciples? What if the disciples had chosen to let Jesus get his rest instead of waking him? Would they have survived?
In answer to these questions, I would say “yes,” and “yes.” In a way, both questions ask about the same issue. Is Jesus sovereign, and if so, what was his will for the disciples?
First of all, to say Jesus is sovereign means he has no restraints on his decisions. Jesus is his own source of power. He, as God’s Son, is dependent on no one for strength or authority. Nothing is too hard for him. He continues to do new works. He is not limited by anything he has created or allowed. From his boundless supply of power, he does more work, and with grand design.
Jesus as sovereign is above all others. He’s the chief, he’s supreme, and He is the King. As Mark shows us in chapters four and five, Jesus has authority over the weather, over death, over evil, and over sickness. He chooses to use his power to lovingly direct our lives, like a Good Shepherd provides and cares for vulnerable sheep.
This leads to the question of what his will is for the disciples. As with our own lives, we may not be able to say confidently that we know exactly what God’s will is for us. But there are some traits about God we can rely on to grow our trust in his will, as Paul writes to the Romans, “His good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
Only God creates storms and calms them. The idea to leave by boat and cross the lake to a new location belonged to Jesus. This meant that he intended for the disciples to encounter the storm. They needed the opportunity to see Jesus’ divine power on display. Often the stormy stretches of the journey hold some revelation of glory. This was certainly the case for the disciples. They witnessed Jesus in command, calming the weather, rescuing the disciples from the inevitable drowning, and growing their faith.
His will for the disciples included a special revelation meant just for them with the goal of strengthening their trust in Him.
Going back to the question, Jesus’ presence in the boat with the disciples was enough to save them. The storm didn’t throw them out of God’s will. Rather, it belonged in his will. Jesus’ sleepiness couldn’t interfere any more than the disciples’ fear did. Everything stayed on track for the moment when Jesus’ glory shone.
O you Winds of God, bless the Lord, praise him, and magnify him forever.
O you Lightnings and Clouds, bless the Lord, praise him, and magnify him forever.
O you Seas and Floods, bless the Lord, praise him, and magnify him forever.
O you Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise him, and magnify him forever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Praise him, and magnify him forever.
–from “The Book of Common Prayer”
