On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion.
And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!”
And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35 (cf. Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25)
Here Jesus shows his preeminence and power to calm natural creation during its most fearful displays. In doing so he demonstrates his ability to protect fearful followers. Jesus is Captain of the ship and Calmer of the storms: We’re on this boat together. We may be frightened. Our faith may be as tossed as these winds. Our stomachs may be churning like these waters. But our Captain – our Head – though appearing to be asleep, is never absent. He can command the violent winds and waters around the boat. And he will command the weary and wondering (and wandering) passengers within the boat.
When he arose and rebuked the wind and the sea, the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. The Lord of the billows spoke, and the wet fury suddenly became glassy stillness. Creation acknowledged the Lordship of Christ. Will we?
There is no sinking with the Savior aboard.
~ S. Lewis Johnson Jr.