A Restful Day in the Life of Jesus, Part 1…
In Mark 4-5 we see a day in the life of Jesus where we can witness firsthand this peace that He has given to us. Let’s be a fly on the wall and behold Jesus on this “normal” day.
In Mark 4 we see Jesus start His day by preaching to multitudes from a boat in the water and then go off with His disciples to explain the parables He had just preached. Next, they got in a boat to go to the other side of the lake. Jesus knew the Gadarene demoniac would be on the other side, but his disciples were just along for the ride, clueless.
“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:35-39)1
First, notice that Jesus said, “Let us cross over to the other side.” If Jesus was in the boat, the One who spoke the world into existence, and He said “let’s cross over,” then nothing could possibly stand in the way!
The word “great” regarding the storm in the passage above indicates a violent, furious storm or hurricane.2 While the waves were crashing against the boat, Jesus, worn out from the day, was resting His head on a pillow. Imagine that kind of peace: the noisiness of the storm, the tossing of the boat, and the splashing of the water into the boat did not wake Him up. He was awakened by the terrified cry of His disciples and their accusation that He did not care for them. He responded to their cry by commanding the storm, “Peace, be still.” Be still literally means “to close the mouth with a muzzle.”3 I love that! When the tempests of life rage, we can speak out the words of the Master from within to every violent wind: “Be silent! I muzzle your mouth!” We speak to the mountain and it moves!4
Next, Jesus said to His disciples,
“Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)
Jesus is saying, “How is it possible that you could be fearful and be in the boat with the One who created the universe and holds it all together?” These disciples believed that He was the Messiah. They had seen Him do miracles, but their lack of faith showed that they had a low estimation of Him.
What kind of estimation to we have of Jesus? If Jesus is “”asleep on the pillow,”” maybe we can find our rest in Him and trust Him to take us to the other side safely.
(from pages 354-355 of Unveiling Jesus)
Unveiling Jesus, by Tricia Gunn, is a verse by verse study of the pure gospel of grace. It’s an amazing journey of love, identity, and freedom in Christ.
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1All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
2Kenneth S. Wuest, Mark, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1950, p. 96
3Kenneth S. Wuest, Mark, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1950, p. 98
4Mark 11:22-24
