August 23
2017
Do You Still Have No Faith?
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 other little boats were also with Him.
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.
But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Mark 4:35-41
What does your sea look like right about now?
Has Jesus said to you, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
Are you still sailing in the calm and peaceful evening
Waves lapping at the sides of the boat
Assured and comfortable in the knowledge that Jesus is on board?
Or has the wind picked up
And the waves become uncomfortable in their beating against the side of your vessel?
And Jesus, where is He?
Is He sleeping, soundly
Have you yet cried out to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
And His response?
“Peace, be still!” is a blessed relief
But what about the question He asks afterward?
“Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
Some interesting word studies this morning gave me a bit of a different perspective on this.
Rebuke (epitimne) means to forbid
Obey (hypakoue) means to hear under as an subordinate
So the Lord forbid the wind and the waves and they obeyed as ones that were subordinate to the Master. Comforting! He is truly the Master of the wind and the waves!
And then the word for faith (pistis) means persuasion or credence; reliance on Christ for salvation
So, really as Jesus asked the question: “Do you still have no faith?” it would appear as though He was asking two questions:
1) do you not know that I am the Christ
2) do you not trust me to save and keep you
He wasn’t asking them about random faith in “fate” or “luck” but faith in Him specifically.
He Jesus asking you this question today?
How will you answer?
Do you know that Jesus is the Christ?
Have you made Him Lord and Saviour of your life?
Are you developing that intimate relationship with Him?
That relationship that will allow you to trust Him, not only to save you but to keep you in all things.
Take that step today.
And the One who even the wind and the sea obey
Will save and keep you
No matter what the storm.