Mark 4:35-41
“Late that day he said to them, ‘Let’s go across to the other side.’ They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, ‘Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?’ - Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, ‘Quiet! Settle down!’ The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: ‘Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?’ They were in absolute awe, staggered. ‘Who is this, anyway?’ they asked. ‘Wind and sea at his beck and call!’”
“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!’”
We’ve all resented others following too close when we wanted someone to ourselves. Jesus and the disciples had just finished a long hard day of service. Jesus was exhausted. They also would have been very tired. Yet their followers did not want them to go, so they trailed along. Had I been there I would have resented their nearness, and heartily wished they would go home. I might not have wondered if they made it safely out of the storm. Our heavenly father grows us by bringing just such situations into our daily life. The challenge is to recognize them for what they are, bow down, and follow our Lord.
This was a big miracle in the universal senuse. Individual healing was one thing. Someone who controlled the laws of nature was something else, bigger than the disciples could imagine. With this miracle Jesus stepped into their imagination as ‘son of God’, not just a wise healer. Every now and then he boosts our faith with this kind of work in our lives. He knows when we truly need it and it is more precious for his perfect timing.
Lord, I am amazed at your patience with me when I hunger for signs and miracles instead of my prayer closet. Thank you for redirecting me so gently. You parent me perfectly! Thank you for the miracles you do in my life when I need them most and the burst of faith they bring. You are wonderful.