-THE LIFE OF CHRIST - THE GALILEAN MINISTRY

-Jesus Stills the Storm

-Mark 4:35-41, Matt 8:18, 23-27*, Luke 8:22-25

-*Matt 8:19-22 will be studied later in our material along with Luke 9:57-62.

-The multitude was sent away and “they took him even as he was in the ship” (Mark 4:36).
        This indicates that no time was spent on making preparations or gathering provisions.

-While crossing the sea, a storm arose.

     -“The Sea of Galilee is subject to sudden storms.  It is seven hundred feet below sea level
             and is surrounded by mountainous terrain.  When cool air pours down the mountainsides
             onto the lake, in a matter of moments the calm surface can be turned into a turbulent mass
             of frothing waves.  Some in the boat were fisherman and had no doubt seen many storms
             on this sea.  The fact that even these were frightened indicates that this was no ordinary
             tempest” (Roper, 4, pg 17).

-Notice that Mark 4:36 tells us that “there were also with him other little ships”.

     -“This very important detail indicates (1) that the great audience on land was supplemented
             by a considerable number who approached in boats to hear the Lord, and (2) that there
             were other witnesses of the great miracle besides those aboard with Jesus.  This also
             emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the storm; because, if it had been
             threatening, neither the disciples nor those in the other boats would have begun the crossing”

       (Coffman, pg 88).

     -It seems likely to me that these in the other boats were the other followers referenced in
            Mark 4:10.

-Luke’s account indicates that the boat was beginning to fill with water and they were in jeopardy.

-The fact that Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat, even amidst these rough waters, gives
       a good indication that He was absolutely exhausted.  Let’s never forget how diligently our
       Savior labored for the good of mankind!

-The alarmed disciples woke Jesus from His sleep with the news that they were in the process of
       perishing – “Save us Lord; we are perishing!” (Matt 8:25, NASB). 

     -What did the disciples expect from Jesus?  I’m not sure.  They hadn’t seen Him calm a storm
             and they were amazed when He did so.  However, these men were learning to turn to Jesus
             and depend upon Him.
-Two Rebukes:
     -Jesus rebuked His followers for their lack of faith.
     -Jesus “rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still...” (Mark 4:39).  Notice that there
      are two demonstrations of power here – one over the wind and another over the sea.  The winds
      stopped which would naturally lead to calmer waters…eventually.  However, it seems that the
      sea becoming “perfectly calm” (Mark 4:39, NASB) was simultaneous to the calmed winds.
-Once again, Jesus’ disciples were astonished at the powers He displayed.
-Let’s not miss in this that Jesus didn’t get His much needed rest.  Tired, He continued on.
-A lesson for us:  When we face the “storms of life” we, too, should turn to Jesus as our source of
  help and should depend upon Him.  Through Him, the storms are calmed and we safely reach the
  shore.  While facing the storms, we should not let our faith falter but should hold strongly to it.