APRIL 29, 2014
Christ
In The Storm
Read: Mark
4:33-41
Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? —Mark 4:40
At the age of 27,
Rembrandt painted the seascape Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee based
on the story in Mark 4. With its distinctive contrast of light and shadow,
Rembrandt’s painting shows a small boat threatened with destruction in a
furious storm. As the disciples struggle against the wind and waves, Jesus is
undisturbed. The most unusual aspect, however, is the presence in the boat of a
13th disciple whom art experts say resembles Rembrandt himself.
Mark’s gospel
describes the disciples’ vivid lesson about who Jesus is and what He can do.
While they were frantically trying to save a sinking boat, Jesus was asleep.
Didn’t He care that they were all about to die? (v.38). After Jesus calmed the
storm (v.39), He asked the penetrating question, “Why are you so fearful? How is
it that you have no faith?” (v.40). Then they were even more afraid, exclaiming
to each other, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
(v.41).
We could also put
ourselves in this story and discover, just as Jesus’ disciples did, that to
each person who trusts in Jesus Christ, He reveals His presence, compassion,
and control in every storm of life.
Be still, my heart;
for faithful is thy Lord,
And pure and true and
tried His holy Word;
Though stormy flood
which rageth as the sea,
His promises thy
stepping-stones shall be. —Anon.
God is a safe dwelling
place in life’s storms.
Insight
Mark 4:35–5:43 records
four miracles that answer the question, “Who can this be?” (4:41). These
miracles demonstrated Jesus’ absolute power over nature (4:35-41), the
spiritual world (5:1-20), physical illnesses (5:21-34), and death (5:35-43).
Each miracle shows Jesus as the omnipotent sovereign God. Yet in this passage,
Mark provides one of the most amazing contrasts. Just before Jesus displayed
the awesome powers of His deity, we are given a touching picture of His
humanity: Jesus was so tired that even the violent tossing of the waves did not
wake Him (v.38).
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
