Mark 4:38 

New International Version (NIV)

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?”

For Meditation

Physically, our Lord was tired and drifted into a deep sleep. It revealed His humanity. But, was Jesus asleep as they thought? It was the time for the poor disciples to recall the assurance of Psalm 121. “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (3-4). However, they couldn’t perceive their Master as, “The LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,” yet (2).

Like all humans, we see the outward appearance and make conclusions. The Lord had set the agenda for the day, and they were in the boat toward their destination (35). The sudden storm ruffled the disciples. They turned to the Lord for help, but they saw His human frailty – asleep out of exhaustion. They had not apprehended His nature thus far. Their teacher and master was both, fully human and fully God; but they could not perceive Him that way. It is so much like many of us.

We have been with Jesus, and we call Him Lord. However, we have not apprehended His true nature yet. Our hearts are far from complete comprehension of His name, Immanuel – God with us in the flesh (Is. 7:14). We see His human nature but fail to see Him as God in our moments of testing and trials. When the storms of life threaten, our faith flounders, and we cry in fear.

“Don’t you care, Lord! How could you be sleeping when I am drowning?”

But, how could creation exercise dominion and authority over its Creator? If Jesus is in your life, as He was with the disciples in the boat, how could the sea and its ragging storm and howling winds drown you?

“You of little faith!” Jesus said (Matt. 8:26).

When Jesus rebukes the winds, and calm settles after the storm, do we not hear His gentle rebuke, “You of little faith!”?

I thank God that worship is always our right response to the wonder of His glory in the calm after the storm: “What manner of man is this … Even the sea and the winds obey Him!”

So, what’s the fury of the storm in your life?

Just worship your Savior and God, Jesus Christ, in the beauty of His holiness. Let your praise resound in the world around you; and let your joy strengthen your faith for the journey to glory.

Shalom