Calming the Storm
Ask: When was a time that you were very afraid? What did you do when you were afraid?
Show me your best “fear” face.
When we are afraid it can be easy to forget about who Jesus is and his promises to us. We might even wonder if Jesus knows we are in trouble. Our reading today describes a time that Jesus’ disciples were afraid and doubted him.
Read: Mark 4:35-41
It must have been a terrible storm because even the disciples who had been fishermen were scared. And there was Jesus, fast asleep. Finally, they decided to wake him up. And what came next might have caused more fear and wonder than the storm itself. Jesus simply says, “Peace. Be still.” And it happened. I love how the author of The Jesus Storybook Bible puts it,
“The wind and the waves recognized Jesus’ voice. (They had heard it before, of course – it was the same voice that made them, in the very beginning). They listened to Jesus and did what he said.” (Lloyd-Jones, 242)
We all have times when we are afraid and there are many different situations in which we might experience fear (What if I fall off my bike? What will my friends think? What if I do it wrong?). Like the disciples, we might not think Jesus knows what is going on or wonder if he even cares. But Jesus is there with you and he does care. He loves you and came to rescue you. No matter what the situation, you can trust Jesus to help you get through it.
“Jesus’ friends had been so afraid, they had only seen the big waves. They had forgotten that, if Jesus was with them, then they had nothing to be afraid of. No matter how small their boat – or how big the storm.” (Lloyd-Jones, 242)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus. Help me to trust him today and not be afraid. In Jesus’ name, amen.