And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself 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 got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
Mark 4:37 – 39 (NASB1995)
I have a fondness for nautical themes to illustrate faith, particularly lifeboats, fishing boats, anchors, and lighthouses. It further stands to reason that I have a fondness for nautical stories in the Bible, including the storm on the Sea of Galilee in today’s reading. I must admit I have meditated on this story more than many others in the Bible; it is such an excellent allegory for our life in this world.
The disciples who were fishermen were worried by the storm; they awakened Christ, pleading for His help, but did they really have to do this? Could the storm caused by Satan really drown God’s son? This was the question asked in the sermon, the answer to which was a resounding “No!” Human fear had overcome the disciples in that storm. The words of Christ “Hush, be still” (or “Peace, be still” in the KJV) were not spoken softly… they were uttered loudly and forcefully. The “rebuke” is epitimaō in the Greek – a severe word of censure, forbidding the storm. Note that the first phrase is the admonishment of the storm, or more accurately, of the evil one creating the storm; the second phrase, “be still,” phimoō in the Greek means to be muzzled.
Dear Reader, when storms arise in our life and threaten to swamp your boat, do not worry… your Lord Jesus is in the boat with you too!
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but [emphasis mine] Galatians 2:20.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
Comments are closed.