Peace Be Still.
Mark 4:33-40 KJV
And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it .
But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
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.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
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?
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.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
The text under consideration is full with spiritual meaning that one needs to sit in the Presence of Holiness to get the understanding and its implication for the spiritual journey .Jesus the Master Teacher taught the secret of the Kingdom of God in Parables as the text states , however after the crowd had left him the details and its implication were revealed to his disciples . The question of faith was detailed and Jesus taught that that Faith journey began as a small seed that eventually becomes a large tree for the fowls of the air to shelter in .
Faith ,Jesus said was not something that came overnight but was a journey of life experiences dependent on humans looking to God in pure obedience , passion and reliance ,in order words one must believe and live the believing as a mantra.
How soon would this lesson require practical application ? The text said ,that evening ,meaning immediately after he had taught it. God would use nature to see how these faithful disciples would apply this principle of faith .
Jesus went to the ship and fell asleep , The request of Jesus was to ‘PASS OVER ON THE OTHER SIDE ‘. At first blush it means that other side of the sea. However based on the incident the call was to move from knowledge of God to the application of the Teachings of Jesus about God and our role in the Salvation drama ,playing out in our very lives. Going to the other side of Faith , taking control over nature ,seeing and using the original covenant of God to mankind.
Psalm 33:12-14,21 KJV
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord ; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
The lesson of Faith has been taught later the Apostle Paul was able to expound on this robust faith journey in Hebrews 12:1 KJV
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us , and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Just for now the disciples were babies in their faith journey. Here comes the test as they and other little boats were on the sea , a storm arose . The human response now is to preserve the lives of those caught in a storm . Find Jesus and blame him , was the logical thing to do ,it is always the fault of someone else .
The expression ‘Master careseth that thou not that we perish ?’
This is the refrain used daily, even now among believers ,Jesus however awoke and rebuked the boisterous winds and there was a great calm . The shock of the disciples was evident in their thoughts ‘ What manner of man is this that even the wind and the waves obeyed him ‘
Jesus demonstrated the exercise of faith the same lesson in the statement
Matthew 21:20-22 KJV
And when the disciples saw it , they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Faith is not an overnight thing ,faith depends on various actions .
Romans 10:10-11 KJV
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 10:16-18 KJV
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Where is your faith in God ?
Amen.