Confident HopeJesus Teaches about Hope
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) Why Are You Afraid?Mark 4:35-41
New International VersionJesus Calms the Storm35 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!” For ReflectionIt all comes down to trust. So Jesus asks his disciples (as he asks us), "Do you trust me? "
Fear is a powerful emotion. It is a protective mechanism. Christ rested in the midst of a storm because he knew that all would be well. His disciples responded in the way humans were designed to react to harmful circumstances.
Even as their lives were threatened, the disciples asked Jesus for protection. In his fatigue, Jesus rolled over and muttered a command for the storm to cease. The disciple's fear for their lives in the storm turned to fear of Christ for his power. In loving rebuke, Jesus asks them to question their faith.
Jesus asks the same of us. Whom or what do we fear that cannot be turned to confidence in good outcomes? What shall become our dominant motive for living, fear, or the steadfast trust in God who loves us and protects us through our times of stormy waters where we can see nothing but unwelcome outcomes?
Pray Pray and put your trust in the living God. Pray and rest in the confidence of your faith. Pray and carry Jesus at your side.
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