"An He arose , and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, 'Peace, be still.' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." - Mark 4:39
I remember back several years ago during one of my childhood summer vacations, one of the most horrific storms popped up. The wind became real tumultuous, the rain began to come down hard and I remember my dad literally stopping the car to position it against the wind so it wouldn't easily turn us over. As we braced for impact while expecting the worst, all of a sudden, things became very quiet and very still. Dad said that we were in the "eye of the storm". As a small child, I really didn't understand what that meant, but I do remember the peace that came all of a sudden. I'm not sure what all happened after that, but I do know God kept us safe.
That is how it is with different situations in our lives; "life storms", we sometimes refer to them as. Things begin to get chaotic and start spinning out of control. Then we begin to brace for impact and expect the worst to come from it; sometimes, wondering whether or not we are going to make it through. Oh, how we long for that peace to come. Oh, how we long for the chaos to cease.
Mark 4:35-41 tells us of an account with Jesus and His disciples. He had just finished ministering to the multitudes earlier that day and He told the disciples that they were going to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (vs.35). While they were journeying across the water, Jesus went down into the stern of the ship to rest. While He was asleep, a great storm of wind arose that caused waves to beat into the boat, thus filling it full of water (v37,38). In a moment of desperation, they went to wake Jesus. They were so afraid of perishing in the storm that they went to the One that could possibly do something about it- if anything could be done at all. Have you ever had faith in God, but just needed Him to help your unbelief sometimes? I know I have. The same thing had taking affect with the disciples. They knew what Jesus was capable of- after all, they had already seen the miracles that He wrought with His hands. However, they still feared, and in their minds thought that the only way they could be saved was if they woke Him. When they woke Jesus, He arose and rebuked the wind by saying, "Peace, be still!" (vs. 39).
The word "Peace" that is used in this context comes from the Greek word "siōpaō" which means "to be silent, to hold one's peace (i.e. a hush, muteness, inability to speak)". Jesus arose and told the wind and the waves to "Hush! Be quiet! Be still!" Have your parents ever told you to "Hush! Be quiet! Be still!"? They meant what they said or you was going to be in for a spanking; I don't know about you, but when my mom or dad said "Hush! Be quiet! Be still!", I did just that or I got my spanking. As soon as Jesus gave the command, the wind ceased and there was a great calm (v.39).
Jesus went on to ask why they were so fearful and where their faith was (vs.40). The same One that brought you through the other storms of your life; the same One that has wrought miracle after miracle in your life; the same One that was in the boat with the disciples, is the same One with you now; He will never leave you nor forsake you. What is interesting about the disciples is that they feared the storm before Jesus calmed it; now, they feared Him because they saw Him do something that they had not seen until now. Sure, they saw demons cast out, the sick healed, the multitudes fed with a few loaves of bread and a few fish, but never have they seen the weather, the elements in the atmosphere, obey a command such as that. Who is this man that even the wind and sea obey (vs.41)?
I tell you Who He is. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last (Rev. 1:8,11). He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24). By Him, all things were created, things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible; He is before all things and by Him all things consist (Col. 1:16,17). He is the only begotten Son of God, Whom He sent into this world because He loves us unconditionally and we may be saved(John 3:16,17). He is the One that says to come unto Him, take His yoke upon you for He is meek and lowly, and you shall find rest for your soul (Matt. 11:28-29). He is the One that you can cast ALL of your cares upon, because He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7). He is the Prince of Peace (Isa.9:6).
So, my dear brothers and sisters, whatever storms may come your way as you travel this pilgrim journey, know that Jesus will be right there with you every step of the way. When it may seem like the winds begin to rage and the waves begin to crash and fill your boat full of water, continue to put your trust in Jesus to get you through. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5,6). Remember, He was before all things... even the storms.
Until next time...
