March 27, 2018 - - Mark 4:35-41 Jesus: Blessed Rescuer

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 4:35-41 ESV

While I served as a hospital chaplain, I was often called upon to comfort families after the death of a loved one. The one who had just died would be laid out on the bed, or a stretcher, or an examining table and the distraught family was nearby.

Many families in that community were Roman Catholic and when a death occured they'd ask me to stay with them as a chaplain until their priest could come and read with them pray with them. I so clearly remember the unexpected death of a middle aged man. His bewildered family was milling around the stretcher and wandering the hallways, confused and pained. Then their priest showed up.

What relief showed on their faces when the family and friends of the deceased saw their priest! They gathered to him. He opened his Bible and read to them this passage from Mark 4. Even as I write this now, I feel the impact of the comfort of these words.

Jesus is greater than any storm in our lives. Jesus stills the waves, tempestuous seas and even the winds which had stirred them all up. What power is at His command. The disciples feared Him--literally: they feared with Him great fear--no longer was their dread focused on wind, waves and sea, but their awe filled fear was for the Majestic One among them: Jesus.

The beautiful point was made. Jesus slept in the boat near His disciples because He was perfectly at peace in the care of His heavenly Father. No harm could come to Him that was beyond His Father's ability to save. Jesus is the Saviour to Whom we cry, He is greater than the storm, greater than the raging seas, and yes, Easter shows us, He is greater even than sin and death. He has brought us the victory. He brings us into the care of our Father in heaven where no one and no thing can snatch us out of His Hand. Cry to Jesus and bring Him your fears.

Blessed Rescuer, Jesus, You are greater, stronger than any storm in my life! Spirit of Jesus, take my focus from the waves and surges I am experiencing and fix my eyes on Jesus, the Storm-Stiller and Wave-Whisperer. Thank You, Jesus, that You have raised me from death and given me new life so that I am called a Child of God. Blessed be Your Name, My God and My King. Amen.