Mark 4:35-41
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!”
Three stories that highlight Jesus’ power and authority as the Strong Son of God:
Jesus taught with authority (1:27) as Lord of heaven and earth!
1. Over the natural realm: Calming the storm on the sea (4:35-41)
2. Over the spiritual realm: Driving out the legion of demons in the Gadarenes (5:1-20)
3. Over life and death: Raising Jairus’ daughter and healing the woman with a flow of blood (5:21-43)
In these stories Jesus acts, not as a man with a spiritual gift, but as the Son of God with all power and authority. Jesus is not just a better version of us; He stands on His own above all power and dominion.
Ephesians 1:20-23
he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
In becoming flesh He set aside His divine authority (Philippians 2:6-8; Matthew 26:53), but nowhere does it say He couldn’t use it given the right purpose. In this case, it is Jesus exercised His authority to test the faith of His disciples.
Colossians 1:16-18
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Hebrew 1:2-3
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
1. Let us go over to the other side (v. 35): Jesus has no chance of failing at whatever says He will do (Pr. 20:31).
2. Nearly swamped (v. 37): Life is a game of inches; how many times were we nearly ruined?
3. Jesus was in the stern sleeping (v. 38): Heaven is not freaking out.
4. Quiet! Be still! (v. 39): Jesus’ powerful word accomplished the miracle, the same word we receive with faith and are saved (cf. Mark 1:27; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23).
5. Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? (v. 40): What are you afraid of today? Jesus expected them to have faith and not be afraid as if to say “You should know me better by now.”
6. Who is this? (v. 41): The disciples’ developing understanding of Jesus mirrors our own. The past almost 17 years I have been learning (and relearning) how good and how strong He is!