February 14th, 2023
by Jon Welch
by Jon Welch
A simple storm to calm...
Have you ever been so tired that you slept right through a storm? That is where we find Jesus today. As the movement continues to expand, Jesus finds it harder and harder to find a place to rest or even get a bite to eat. In Mark 3:20, Peter notes, "Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat." Luke records, probably from Mary's memories, "Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd" (Luke 8:19). Can you imagine how hard it must have been to come back to a packed house and growing crowds constantly? Where could Jesus escape or get away from the public? Come and see!
Read Luke 8:22-25, Matthew 8:18-27, Mark 4:35-41.
List what you feel are the significant details of this story (Look at all three passages carefully)
What did the "other side" mean to the disciples (Mark 4:35)? Who was there?
What was the real problem in this story? List all the small and significant issues in the disciples' minds.
Why do you feel God allowed this storm? What are the life lessons from this story the disciples needed to learn?
Wow! Jesus must have been one exhausted guy to be able to sleep through a storm where professional fishermen thought they were about to lose their lives just sailing in it! Can you see the humanity of Jesus through it all? Yea, Jesus got tired just like we do. He got hungry and thirsty, just like us. He experienced things physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Jesus was fully human. Wow! God has become one of His creations, like us in every way and without sin (Heb. 2:17). The God/Man needed a break and rest from the ministry. Mark it down- the bigger the ministry gets, the more intentional you need to get time away to rest. Ministry can be all-consuming and highly demanding. You will get tired and need to escape as Jesus does to get refreshed.
As the movement grows, we will see Jesus using the Sea of Galilee as a place to escape and recuperate with His leaders. Much of the following year of ministry will happen on or around the shore of this body of water. Jesus often gets in the boat, not to get to the other side of the lake but to escape the pressure of the crowds. He didn't withdraw because He did not love the people but because He wanted to be alone with His leaders to make a point. Mark records that Jesus left the crowds and that there were several boats on this excursion. Jesus goes immediately to the stern of the boat and falls asleep on a cushion. He was sound asleep in minutes. As they moved across the lake, the Father sent a strong wind that started to pour water into the boat. The leaders were scared for their lives. Can you imagine the conversation between the leaders? "You wake him!" "Not me; why don't you wake him!" "I'm not going to wake him up!"
Finally, it's too much, and they are sure they will drown. So they scream, "Lord, save us (Mat. 8:25). These are words Jesus loves to hear. All you have to do is cry out, "I can't do this! Save me!" And he is right there for you. Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The LORD your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; he will quiet you with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing." Wow.
After saving the day, Jesus looks at the team and says, "Guys, where is your faith?" (Luke 8:25). He questions their faith. He didn't expect them to calm the storm. He just expected them to know Him well enough by now to know that He is never too busy or too tired to save the day. No matter how much you call on Him, he never grows weary of helping you. That is why he came to earth!
Got any storms in your life? You may have a stormy relationship or a storm at work. Stop fighting and worrying about the storm; instead, fall on your knees and admit you need Mighty Warrior to save you. He waits every day for you to come to the end of yourself and start depending on him.
If I were a betting man, you have at least one friend dealing with a storm. What would it mean to them if You were to reach out to them and talk to them about living by faith and dependence on the Father? Practice saying, "God, save me!" during storms in your life.
And what is keeping you from depending on him? If you haven't calmed the storms of your life yet, what makes you think you can?
Read Luke 8:22-25, Matthew 8:18-27, Mark 4:35-41.
List what you feel are the significant details of this story (Look at all three passages carefully)
What did the "other side" mean to the disciples (Mark 4:35)? Who was there?
What was the real problem in this story? List all the small and significant issues in the disciples' minds.
Why do you feel God allowed this storm? What are the life lessons from this story the disciples needed to learn?
Wow! Jesus must have been one exhausted guy to be able to sleep through a storm where professional fishermen thought they were about to lose their lives just sailing in it! Can you see the humanity of Jesus through it all? Yea, Jesus got tired just like we do. He got hungry and thirsty, just like us. He experienced things physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Jesus was fully human. Wow! God has become one of His creations, like us in every way and without sin (Heb. 2:17). The God/Man needed a break and rest from the ministry. Mark it down- the bigger the ministry gets, the more intentional you need to get time away to rest. Ministry can be all-consuming and highly demanding. You will get tired and need to escape as Jesus does to get refreshed.
As the movement grows, we will see Jesus using the Sea of Galilee as a place to escape and recuperate with His leaders. Much of the following year of ministry will happen on or around the shore of this body of water. Jesus often gets in the boat, not to get to the other side of the lake but to escape the pressure of the crowds. He didn't withdraw because He did not love the people but because He wanted to be alone with His leaders to make a point. Mark records that Jesus left the crowds and that there were several boats on this excursion. Jesus goes immediately to the stern of the boat and falls asleep on a cushion. He was sound asleep in minutes. As they moved across the lake, the Father sent a strong wind that started to pour water into the boat. The leaders were scared for their lives. Can you imagine the conversation between the leaders? "You wake him!" "Not me; why don't you wake him!" "I'm not going to wake him up!"
Finally, it's too much, and they are sure they will drown. So they scream, "Lord, save us (Mat. 8:25). These are words Jesus loves to hear. All you have to do is cry out, "I can't do this! Save me!" And he is right there for you. Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The LORD your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; he will quiet you with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing." Wow.
After saving the day, Jesus looks at the team and says, "Guys, where is your faith?" (Luke 8:25). He questions their faith. He didn't expect them to calm the storm. He just expected them to know Him well enough by now to know that He is never too busy or too tired to save the day. No matter how much you call on Him, he never grows weary of helping you. That is why he came to earth!
Got any storms in your life? You may have a stormy relationship or a storm at work. Stop fighting and worrying about the storm; instead, fall on your knees and admit you need Mighty Warrior to save you. He waits every day for you to come to the end of yourself and start depending on him.
If I were a betting man, you have at least one friend dealing with a storm. What would it mean to them if You were to reach out to them and talk to them about living by faith and dependence on the Father? Practice saying, "God, save me!" during storms in your life.
And what is keeping you from depending on him? If you haven't calmed the storms of your life yet, what makes you think you can?
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3 Comments
Wow what a message this is what I have been battling I had to change my direction and steer my self clear and move in another direction like I’m on a boat to get a clear view of the way I approached my problems I think Jesus put me in the right direction Thankyou Jesus let him steer you away from your wrong direction it feels so refreshing it will take a load off your shoulders
A lot of good stuff here! There are “storms “ in our lives and Always my Father is with me!
Why was there this “storm” in my life, maybe I am at fault, maybe someone else is at fault
BUT…. Through it all I will keep my eyes on Him,and faith in Jesus ,who never is against me
So powerful!!! Keeping our eyes on the Father at all times especially during a storm! Our storms can end up glorify God, just like this one did.
The disciples realized that even the wind and waves obey Him, during the storm. That is our ultimate goal to give all the Glory to God and some of us have to have a storm before we do that. May everything we do point to Him!