April 13

Mark 4:35-41 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

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?” 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. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (v.38-40)

Observation

The disciples were fighting for their lives, caught in a storm that even the experienced fishermen (Peter, James, John) were fearful of dying. It must have been pretty scary. The boat was sinking fast. They cried out: Don’t you care, Jesus, that we are dying? There are two aspects to this question: (1) are you able and (2) are you willing? Perhaps, the “are you able” part was not at the forefront of their concern as much as the “are you willing” or “do you care” part. Certainly, they have seen enough of Jesus’ miracles to know that he is quite able. The big question that led to their fear was “do you really care about us”? It certainly didn’t appear that way from his demeanor, sleeping away in the back of the boat. Was it even comfortable sleeping with such violent rocking and being wet? Jesus then wakes up and answers their question by action, by calming the sea: Yes, I care, and, yes, I am able. Then he asks, why so much fear? don’t you have any faith in me after witnessing all that I’ve done? Were you not there when I healed the least among you because I cared?

I find it interesting that this event occurred “on that day” as the scripture clearly points it out. That is the day that Jesus gave a sermon on the parable of the mustard seed. So, when he asks about their faith, he was inferring to the fact that you don’t need a giant faith. A tiny mustard seed faith is all they need to overcome their fear and put their trust on Jesus. As the Kingdom of God was compared to the mustard seed, our faith to be in the Kingdom can also be as the mustard seed.

Application

In reality, the disciples were in the safest place one can possibly be at: a place where God is. When Jesus is with us, who or what can come against us? Right? But what do we do when the world around us is crumbling and life looks dark and bleak, without any hope? The truth is that I often focus on the problems and circumstances and make them much bigger than they should be. The circumstances become masters, while the Master becomes small in comparison. The solution is clear: Focus on Jesus and cling to him and him alone. Then we will be where God is and there is no where else that is safer. I don’t need some giant faith to accomplish this. Whatever little faith I have, I will lift it up to Jesus and watch him do miracles with it.

Prayer

Lord, I confess that I have little faith. But with this little faith, I believe that you love me and care for me. I believe that you will work out all of my life’s circumstances in a way to bring glory unto you. Help me not to forget this and not lose the sight of you throughout all the days of my life. My desire is to be where you are and do what you will. Amen.

--tchang