Bible Lesson: Miracles Of Jesus: Tempest Calmed.
Bible Location: Sea of Galilee.
Bible Text: Mark 4:35-41 KJV (Matthew 8:23-27/Luke 8:22-25)
35 And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow*: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of Man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?
*Pillow: Often, a low bench, or railing, called the pillow at the stern of the ship.
Adam Clarke Commentary:
Mark 4:
Verse 38. On a pillow] proskefalaion probably means a little bed, or hammock, such as are common in small vessels.
I have seen several in small packets, or passage boats, not a great deal larger than a bolster.
(Bolster: long narrow cushion, or pillow. New World Dictionary.)
Mark 4:35-41 NLT
35 As evening came, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”
36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).
37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
39 When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
40 Then He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this Man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey Him!”
Mark 4:35-36 KJV
35 And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships.
Jesus had spent the day, teaching heavens truths to the people, and it was now evening.
He told His disciples “Let us pass over unto the other side.”
The multitudes were sent away, and yet, we read “And there were also with Him other little ships.”
Throngs of people, could not leave the Lord.
John 10:27 KJV
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:
John 12:26 KJV
If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.
Every day as Christian people, we are faced with the question, is our love and faith strong enough to follow Jesus out onto the dark waters of Galilee?
Mark 4:37 KJV
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Whenever your or I set out to do the Lord's bidding, we can expect the storms.
Jesus initiated His ministry by first confronting the evil one, and defeating him (Matthew 4:1-11).
And here, He and His men, meet an angry sea, winds howling, threatening to capsize them.
The enemy knew Jesus was led by the Spirit, to go to Gadara, where the demoniac was (Mark 5:1-20). Satan, tried his best to see to it that Jesus would never make it there for the demoniac's deliverance.
And we Christians, as we do the Lord's work, can expect the storms.
Matthew 5:45 KJV
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
James 1:2-8 NLT
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
6 But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
Trust:
Psalm 37:4,5 KJV
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.
Proverbs 3:5,6 KJV
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Isaiah 26:4 KJV
Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Mark 4:38,39 KJV
38 And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Jesus in His Divine humanity, grew weary, and resorted to the stern of the ship to lay His head on the railing of the ship and went to sleep.
The terrified disciples, awoke Him, saying “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” They lovingly placed Him, in the midst of “their” turmoil.
Matthew 8:26 KJV
And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
As the people of God, may we turn from fear to faith, as our Lord quells the storms before us.
Psalm 65:7 KJV
Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
Psalm 89:9 KJV
Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
Psalm 107:26-31- KJV
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.
31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalm 116:6 KJV
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and He helped me.
Oh, the power of our Lord.
Matthew 28:18 KJV
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
He can turn the water into wine (John 2:7).
He can walk on the water (Matthew 14:25).
He can still the tempest (Mark 4:39).
He can forgive sins (Mark 2:7).
He can heal the sick (Mark 1:30).
He can provide for multitudes (Mark 8:6).
He can cast out demons (Mark 9:22).
He can control nature (Mark 11:21).
He over came death (John 11:43).
He conquered death (John 20:27).
Deuteronomy 33:27 KJV
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms...
Psalm 27:5 KJV
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a Rock (Jesus Christ, Son of God).
Psalm 46:1 KJV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 71:3 KJV
Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my Rock and my Fortress.
Proverbs 14:26 KJV
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.
Proverbs 18:10 KJV
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Isaiah 25:4 NLT
But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat...
Mark 4:40 KJV
And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Hebrews 3:12 KJV
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Hebrew 10:38,39 KJV
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
I John 5:4 KJV
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Mark 4:41 KJV
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of Man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?
Godly fear:
Psalm 33:8 KJV
Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
Psalm 89:7 KJV
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him.
Habakkuk 2:20 KJV
But the LORD is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him.
