Authority over Nature and Fear
Mark 4:35–41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he 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?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Jesus actually fixes two problems in this story. Go back and try to spot them.
Jesus both calms the wind and calms the nerves of his friends. This is our God, the one who commands the world and has command over even our inner thoughts.
On the boat that night, the disciples were terrified—experienced fishermen scared for their lives. This was a major storm. Yet, it was not too big for Jesus.
Over the course of our lives, we will experience major storms that will challenge our trust and, I hope, push us to faith.
However, we will experience many minor storms each week. These fears creep in after a conversation we had at work, when guilt overtakes us, when worst-case scenarios repeat in our minds, and when we question our identity and worth. These storms arise out of nowhere, it seems, and yet can ruin our day and week.
Will you look to the One who has Ultimate Authority in these storms of life as well? Will you “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)? Or will you keep allowing those daily fears and worries to rule your heart? Will you keep trying to overcome these mental anguishes alone?
Jesus has displayed His authority over the major issues of life as well as the hidden issues of the heart. Will you trust Him to have authority in your life?
