Psychologist and counselor Dan Allender has said, “Different people fear different things with different levels of intensity. But all of us fear what we cannot control.” In Mark 4:35-40 the disciples are in the midst of a storm that is so beyond their ability to control that they question if Jesus cares for them.
Interestingly, Jesus often calls his disciples- including you and me- into storms when we are exhausted. The disciples had been with Jesus all day as he taught and it is now evening and they are all tired. Jesus didn’t ask their permission first; he didn’t tell them to get out the calendar on their iphones to schedule a storm for their lives; he didn’t give them advance notice. Yet, he sometimes calls us into storms when we’re at our weakest.
He also calls them into a storm that is beyond their ability. These were fishermen and storms were a familiar part of everyday life on the sea. Not, however, a storm like this. It was a ‘great windstorm’ and the boat was filling. They even had a front-row seat to Jesus’ full humanity- he also is so tired that he is asleep…even as they bail out the water!
This leads to accusations hidden as questions. “Don’t you care that we are perishing!” Like you and me, the disciples are interpreting reality in such a way that it makes Jesus the bad guy. Here’s the equation of our hearts: Scary storm + exhaustion + lack of control = Jesus doesn’t care. That settles it. Or does it?
Jesus could’ve responded with mild frustration: “C’mon guys (yawn), I’m tired too; I was just sleeping!” Or perhaps extreme agitation: “You don’t know this yet, but I’m the one who puts clothes on your back, food on your table, and keeps your heart beating everyday! I can’t believe you have the audacity to ask me that question!” Maybe easy rejection: “Seriously guys? You don’t think I care for you? I’m out!” (as he gets out of the boat, walks on water, and picks a new A-Team for his mission).
Contrary to our expectations, Jesus responds with powerful compassion: “Peace! Be Still” and the waves are calm. By the mere speaking of his authoritative voice, chaos becomes calm.
We’ll continue this story in another installment, but for now, let me mention two things:
First, Jesus knows what he’s doing in your life. That might be the simplest thing to say and the hardest thing to believe when the waves are causing your boat to sink and Jesus seems nowhere on the horizon. Yet, Scripture in general and this story in particular loudly shouts into the howling winds: He knows what he’s doing.
Second, Jesus calls you to a relationship with him that is honest and real. Often, we go to him with a religious façade, especially when we might be deeply afraid, and pray something like this, “Jesus, I trust you. You are good. With you I can do all things. This is working out for my good. Thank you.” Perhaps that is indeed an honest prayer. But maybe, just maybe, a more honest prayer would be, “Jesus, this storm is huge and it’s sinking my heart. You don’t seem to care because you don’t seem to be doing anything. I’m filled with fears for my life and doubts about your heart. Help!”
Next time, we’ll see how Jesus gets us to see inside our hearts when we’re going through the storm.
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