Jesus Provided Peace During a Storm (Mark 4:35-41)
Introduction:
1. In Mark 4:35-41 we read about one of the many miracles of our Lord. 2. To help us appreciate what happened, if we back up to vs.1, we see that Jesus had been teaching a multitude of people by the Sea of Galilee. 3. On this occasion, Jesus taught many things through parables (vs.2a, 33). 4. According to vs.35, on the evening of the same day the Lord said to His disciples, "Let us pass over unto the other side." 5. As Jesus and His disciples sailed across the sea, a violent storm arose. 6. According to vs.39, when Jesus said, "Peace, be still," "the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." 7. To help us appreciate the fact that "Jesus provided peace during a storm," we are examining information revealed about the Lord and His disciples. 8. What can we first learn about Jesus from these passages?
Discussion:
I. WE LEARN THAT JESUS WAS BOTH DIVINE AND HUMAN
A. By performing this miracle, Jesus demonstrated His divine power. 1. (vs.41) After seeing Jesus demonstrate His great power, the disciples were amazed and said, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" 2. There is a reason why Jesus performed miracles such as this one, and there is a reason why many of them have been recorded (John 3:2; 20:30-31). 3. Jesus is God's divine Son, and His miracles prove it. B. Jesus also demonstrated His humanity on this occasion. 1. As the Lord and His disciples sailed across the sea, He fell asleep. a. (vs.38) He was asleep on a pillow in the stern of the ship. b. It was evening, and the Lord was apparently exhausted. 2. Jesus must have been very tired because He slept during the storm. 3. This scene helps us to see Jesus as the Son of man (Hebrews 2:16). C. These verses in Mark 4 help us to see that Jesus was both divine and human. D. Because Jesus was: 1. divine, He is able to provide peace when we face storms -- He is "The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6) 2. human, He understands how we feel when we face storms. E. We also need to examine the disciples -- what can we learn from them?
II. AS A RESULT OF GOING THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE, THE DISCIPLES GREW IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD
A. Even though Jesus was with them, the disciples demonstrated fear and a lack of faith. 1. With the ship filling with water, their lives were in danger. 2. They came to Jesus and awoke Him. 3. (vs.38) They asked, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" 4. (vs.40) Jesus asked them why they were afraid and why they had no faith. 5. By coming to Jesus they indicated that they had some faith in His power to do something about the situation. 6. However, by losing control, they showed that their faith was weak. 7. Notice that "fear" and "a lack of faith" are linked together. B. The disciples learned several things about the Lord. 1. They were impressed with His great power. 2. They learned that He cared for them. 3. They saw that He was not filled with anxiety. C. The apostles learned some things that would help them in the future.
III. WHAT CAN WE LEARN THAT WILL HELP US?
A. In this life we will occasionally face storms. B. We are reminded that storms will arise when we endeavor to do the Lord's will. 1. The disciples were following the Lord's instructions when the storm arose. 2. We can expect the same thing to happen. 3. One of the keys to facing storms is "preparation." C. Remembering certain things will help us when storms arise in our lives. 1. The Lord is always with His followers (Matthew 28:20b; Hebrews 13:5). 2. The Lord cares for His followers (1 Peter 5:7 - "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you"). 3. The Lord gives us a cure for anxiety (Philippians 4:6). 4. Even though He is with us and even though He cares for us, the Lord allows us to face trials so we may grow and mature. a. Jesus was with His disciples, but he still allowed them to face the storm before He delivered them from it (1 Corinthians 10:13). b. We can grow and mature if we face our trials properly (James 1:12).
Conclusion:
1. There is a lesson to be learned from the wind and the sea -- they obeyed the commands of Christ. 2. They had no choice, but we do. 3. The Lord wants us to obey Him because we love Him (John 14:15).
