Key Scripture Readings: Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25
Fast Facts
- While the Sea of Galilee was known to have sudden and violent storms, the storm encountered by the apostles in Mark 4:35-41 was no ordinary storm. Both the waves and wind were battering the boat. Water was even filling into the boat!
- While Jesus was asleep, the disciples became afraid. They woke the Lord up and asked Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” They were puzzled as to how Jesus could have slept during a time like that.
- Jesus then got up and rebuked the strong winds. He also said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” Amazingly, “the wind died down, and it became perfectly calm.” The Lord stopped a sea storm with just a few words!
- Jesus then expressed disappointment to His apostles’ lack of faith (Mark 4:40). They shouldn’t have been afraid during the storm because they had Jesus in their boat.
- The apostles were amazed by the power exercised by Jesus on this occasion. They wondered, “Who then is this, that even the wind and sea obey Him?” They rightly concluded that Jesus wasn’t just an ordinary man. No average man had the power to control the mighty forces of nature.
Study Questions
- Where were Jesus and His disciples traveling? What time of day was it?
- What was Jesus doing when the storm came on the sea? How did the apostles respond to this?
- Describe how Jesus calmed this storm?
- How did the apostles respond to this miracle? How should we respond?
- Why was Jesus disappointed in the disciples? What did He expect of them by this time?
