JESUS CALMS THE STORM

The church has always been attracted to symbols. The earliest church did not have the cross as their symbol but a boat. They took comfort in the fact that Jesus would be able to take them through any storm. Mark was very selective in what he chose to write. But he includes details, the time of day, the other boats, the cushion, the rebukes. Maybe Mark was in one of the other boats or even in this boat. It is not just a metaphorical account. It is a real historical account that actually happened in a real place, in the lowest lake in the world, Galilee, known for ferocious storms. It is only because it actually took place in history, do we look deeper into the theological significance. The gospel of Mark was written for the church in Rome during the time of Nero. When the church read this account, they would have identified with the frightened disciples, and they would have been greatly comforted. This text speaks speaks of the Christian life in these ways. |||||| 
THE REALITY OF THE STORM: Storms are very real in our lives. The disciples do not wake Jesus up to save them. Even if they wanted Him to save them, they first rebuke Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” As Peter who was there on the boat later wrote:  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you (1Pet 4:12).
Having Jesus in your boat does not stop your boat from going through a storm. It is easier to live by sight and not by faith. But we are called to live by faith rather than sight. When we get up at night in our own homes, we do not need the light because we know the layout. Christians know the love of God even during times of trouble. |||||| 
FAITH IN THE STORM: We misunderstand the role of faith in the storm. We may think that we must rebuke and silence the storm. Actually faith played no role whatsoever in the calming of the storm. Jesus rebuked them for a lack of faith, not for not stopping the storm. But He rebuked them for being afraid and for forgetting the love of God and the sovereignty of God. We have no right or reason to be fearful. The only time the Bible mentions Jesus as being asleep is during a storm. He was secure in the knowledge of the sovereignty of God. Jesus’s sleep should have indicated to them of their safety. All was well. Jesus was with them. |||||| 
THE GOD OVER THE STORM
This story is not about the disciples being relieved of fear. The story finishes with the disciples being left with a greater fear. They said: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” The word used for great here is "mega," and is used thrice in this passage.
– Mega storm
– Mega calm across the sea
– Mega fear filled the disciples after the storm. 
They knew that no man can control the sea. (Job 38:8-11, Ps 107:23-30) |||||| 
Jesus does not pray for the storm to stop. He just tells the sea to be quiet. He is the Lord of the sea. But why were they afraid instead of simply being happy. Being close.to God who is perfectly holy is a wonderful thing for those who are holy. Remember how Isaiah said that he was undone in the presence of God. Or how Peter when the fish almost sank them, fell down at Jesus’s feet and said "Depart from me." The fear the disciples had before the miracle was of a literal storm. The fear they had after the sea was quiet was of a spiritual storm that they knew would come because of their sin. |||||| 
THE CALMING OF THE STORM
Jonah 1 mentions another storm, which bears many similarities with this storm.
– Also caught in the storm in Jonah were seasoned sailors who were terrified.
– The main character was woken up by a rebuke.
– The storm was calmed supernaturally. 
– Those in the boat were filled with fear when they saw the calm sea. 
In the account in Jonah, the storm subsided when Jonah was picked up and thrown overboard.  That was the only way God’s wrath would be appeased. Actually this makes both stories similar. Jesus was thrown into the waves of God’s wrath. On the cross He took our place and saved us from perishing. We have many storms in life. We may cry out: "Do You not care that we are perishing?"Yes He does. He cared enough to die. He died so that we do not perish. For every storm we face, this is the answer we must remember—cancer or criticism, trouble in the workplace or trouble at home—He does care and is with us. We know, because He died to save us from the ultimate storm of God’s holy wrath against sin. May this be of great comfort to us.