… are you so afraid?
Mark 4:40
The Sea of Galilee is infamous for its sudden, violent storms. The geography of the land causes the storms. The “sea” is actually a lake and more than 600 feet below sea level, surrounded by hills. The cold winds from the mountains head toward the ocean and go across the lake. Aided by gorge-like crevices, the winds become turbulent. These storms are terrifying and even tested fishermen keep their boats close to shore.
When I was a little girl in the 1950’s, my family of five could only afford tent camping for our vacations. One year we found a new spot and no one was there. We set up our equipment, enjoying the quiet.
As the sun set, a breeze began and quickly turned into a furious wind. We thought our tent would blow away along with us. Thinking the strength of the wind was an aberration, we stayed longer but the second evening the exact thing reoccurred. The next day we left.
We didn’t know what we were getting into but the disciples who climb into the boat on the Sea of Galilee do. Most of them are fishermen but even those from the “city” have heard of the infamous lake. Most likely friends had been killed on the lake. Plus, the Sea is known for being completely calm one moment and furious the next.
This story is evidence. “… a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling” (Mark 4:37). There really is a reason to be terrified.
Meanwhile, Jesus is “asleep on a cushion.” (4:38). He is the only one not disturbed. He told them, “Let us go across to the other side” (4:35) and he is confident his plan will be fulfilled.
The storm begins to destroy the disciples’ confidence in Jesus’s care and his wisdom. Obviously, they are thinking, “How can the man who claims love as the hallmark of his kingdom and claim to be God be so uncaring and clueless about what is happening?” No wonder they awake him saying, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” For strong men to express such emotion and accuse Jesus of not caring reveals their distrust.
Jesus ceases the storm with “Peace! Be still!” and then asks his men, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40). Maybe he also says, “Didn’t I say we would cross to the other side? What I say goes.”
The disciples’ shock is expressed as, “Who then is this?” If only they had reminded themselves who he is—his care, love, and power—they might not have been afraid. They still should ask him to intervene but not with an accusing attitude. Jesus has taken care of them in so many different ways but to them the storm must seem beyond his care and power.
When Jesus asks us, “Why are you so afraid?” the answer often must truthfully be, “I thought you didn’t care. And I forgot who you are.” But we can learn to rehearse his caring and love more often as we reflect upon his care in the past.
Almighty God, I praise you for your caring love. Thank you for the evidence of your care in the past.
- What other stories in the Bible remind you Jesus cares?
- Can you think of a situation, especially one God directed you to, which caused you to doubt his care?
(Excerpt from Gods Intriguing Questions:60 New Testament Devotions Revealing Jesus’ Nature)