All through our readings from Mark’s Gospel we have seen Jesus doing incredible things: healing people (2:1–12), casting out demons (1:21–28) and asserting himself as Lord over religious observance (2:23–28). Now, in a climactic hinge point in Mark’s Gospel, we see Jesus leading the disciples into the middle of the sea of Galilee, knowing that he is leading them into a storm (v 35). 

How do you respond to a Jesus who leads his followers into storms? The answer to that question is the focus of these verses (vs 40,41). These disciples, who had seen Jesus doing amazing things, still hadn’t understood the message that the kingdom of God is breaking into the world – ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him’ (v 41) – and nothing is going to stop it: not Jesus being asleep and not actively present with them (v 38); not even a storm that terrifies these hardened fishermen (v 40).

Jesus would ask us today, and every day, whether we trust him even when the odds are stacked against us. Jesus calls us not to be followers who understand, but followers who simply trust and obey. 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall’.¹

The artist Rembrandt’s painting ‘The Storm on the Sea of Galilee’ portrays the events of this passage dramatically. In his picture a huge wave pushes the fishing boat up into a forty-five-degree angle as the disciples desperately cling on to ropes and sails for their very lives. It brings out the real danger the disciples were in – and for these fishermen to panic things must have been really bad! Many of them had worked on this lake all their lives. They were used to handling difficult weather conditions for, although the Sea of Galilee is really a lake, it was renowned for sudden and severe storms. High waves were swamping the disciples’ boat and the lives of those on board were in real jeopardy. 

Jesus, however, is sound asleep at the back of the boat, exhausted after teaching huge crowds. He appears completely unaware of the danger they are in. No wonder the disciples accuse him of not caring. They are only crossing the lake because he has told them to and yet he is asleep rather than helping when his instructions lead them into trouble. 

Most of us will have felt like the disciples at some time for, as the story shows, doing what Jesus asks of us does not mean we will avoid trouble – and it may even lead us into it. Many of us have questioned why Christ feels absent just when we need him most and wondered in difficult times if he has forgotten us. This story encourages us to have faith, though, for we do not need to fear. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, Jesus is with us amid the storm and he really does care. The one who silenced the wind and the waves will see us safely through our troubles too.

Are you going through any storms at the moment? How well are you doing, trusting God throughout this time? Be honest about your feelings and ask for his help.

¹ Ps 46:1,2