Greetings, dear ones,
Today, let’s examine another demonstration of Jesus’ authority, which provides further proof of His deity:
“On that day, when evening came, He said to them, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’”
— Mark 4:35
We notice here that Jesus was the one who initiated this journey. We have already established that Jesus is God. One way we saw this was in the story of Jesus healing the paralytic, where He forgave the man’s sins. This act highlighted His divine authority, as only God has the power to forgive sins:
“The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, ‘Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?’”
— Luke 5:21“But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” — He said to the paralytic — “I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
— Luke 5:24
In this instance, Jesus initiates a journey across the Sea of Galilee. The events that followed were intentional and within His foreknowledge, as He asked His disciples to head to the other side with purpose.
“Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.”
— Mark 4:36
This detail sets the scene for what is to come: a private experience for the disciples, not the crowd. The narrative shifts to a stormy crisis that will test their faith:
“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat so that the boat was already filling up.”
— Mark 4:37
The storm, with waves filling the boat, was not necessarily unfamiliar to these disciples—many were seasoned fishermen and natives of the area. However, their response reveals that this storm was indeed severe and stirred deep fear within them.
“Jesus Himself was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion; and they got Him up and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’”
— Mark 4:38
Mark paints a vivid picture, contrasting the chaotic storm with Jesus sleeping calmly. This juxtaposition highlights His peaceful demeanor amid the storm, underscoring His divine authority. Luke’s gospel emphasizes Jesus’ humanity, capturing His exhaustion from ministry:
“But as they were sailing along, He fell asleep, and a windstorm descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and in danger.”
— Luke 8:23
This dual emphasis in Luke—on Jesus as fully human yet fully divine—is consistent throughout his gospel:
“…the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.”
— Luke 3:38
The disciples’ reaction reflects their fear of death and desire for self-preservation. Their question, “Do You not care?” implies an expectation that Jesus would share their anxiety.
“And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Hush, be still.’ And the wind died down, and it became perfectly calm.”
— Mark 4:39
Jesus’ response showcases His authority. Unshaken, He silences the storm with a command, revealing His power over nature. This sudden calm underscores the miracle and leaves no doubt of His divinity.
Then, Jesus turns to His disciples:
“He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’”
— Mark 4:40
Jesus’ question reveals the connection between fear and faith. He addresses their fear, linking it to a lack of trust in His power and presence. Jesus wanted them to have confidence, even in the face of overwhelming danger.
“They became very much afraid and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?’”
— Mark 4:41
Their amazement was fitting, as their experiences reflected the psalmist’s praise of God’s power over the seas:
“Who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples.”
— Psalm 65:7“You rule the swelling of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them.”
— Psalm 89:9“Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed.”
— Psalm 107:28-29
Jesus used this moment to remind His disciples that He was not merely a teacher, but the Lord Himself. By now, they should have understood that the One who healed the sick and cast out demons also commanded the elements.
This story illustrates the relationship between our faith in God and our fear in worldly circumstances. When we place our faith in the Creator—sovereign, omnipotent, and wise—our fears diminish. We can trust in the One who creates and sustains all things:
“…for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’”
— Acts 17:28
I pray that in times when we’re vulnerable to fear, we’ll remember the authority of the One in whom we have placed our faith—our Lord Jesus Christ.
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