'On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey (Mk. 4:35-41)”’
From the disciples’ perspective, to understand the significance of what Jesus did we have to reflect on creation; “A mighty wind sweeping over the waters (Gn. 1:2).” Only God can control nature. Squalls were a common occurrence on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was asleep in the boat when the violent squall occurred. Even if he was awake, he would have been unperturbed because he had complete confidence in God. As the Psalmist says, “In peace I will lie down and fall asleep, for you alone, Lord, make me secure (Ps. 4:9).” When the disciples woke Jesus, he addressed the wind and sea not the disciples. The Psalmist says, “Be still and know that I am God (Ps. 46:11)!” Jesus' ability to control the wind and sea made the disciples begin to understand that he had divine power, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey (Mk. 4:31}". Jesus chastised the disciples for not yet having faith in God or him (Mt. 8:26). We should grow in faith. The more we accept the gift of God's grace (Eph. 2:8), listen to the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17), and participate in the Body and Blood of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16), the more our faith in Jesus can grow.
Almighty God, Jesus said that if we had only a little faith we would be able to move mountains. It is our heart’s desire to love you more each day and to serve you as you desire. We believe in you, but we ask you to help our unbelief. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Reference:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
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