The Road to Easter: Peace, Be Still

Pastor Carol Grace ♦ February 26, 2024 ♦ Leave a comment

(NIV) Mark 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

In reading about the fishing boats of the day, they averaged 27 feet in length and 7 1/2 feet in width, with 4 1/2 feet in depth. We do not know which apostles were with Jesus, but the men onboard were seasoned fishermen so they were acquainted with squalls. According to the NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Notes the shape of the hills surrounding the Sea of Galilee can funnel storms onto the water; they can be sudden and devastating to small boats out in the midst of the lake.

It has always amazed me that the disciples who were with Jesus every day were so surprised when Jesus did something miraculous. I have found myself thinking if I were with Jesus, I would not be surprised, I would not doubt, I would just soak up the glory emanating from His presence. But would I?

We learn from this account that Jesus never promised to keep us from the storms, but that He will be with us in the storms. As the water in the boat began to rise, the disciples’ faith began to waver. Yet, the Master of the Seas had merely to speak three words and the storm did not lessen, it did not begin to abate, it calmed immediately.

I really prefer the King James translation that says, Peace, be still. Jesus first rebukes the storm, and then He rebukes the disciples. I can say it is easier to have faith when you are safe and dry rather than when you are standing ankle deep in water.

So, the lesson to learn here is don’t wait until you are in the midst of the storms of life to develop your faith, do it now. Romans 12:3 says we are each given a measure of faith. It is up to us to grow our faith by staying in the Word and staying in relationship with Jesus.

In the name of the Father, and if the Son, and if the Holy Spirit. Amen.