ESOCS Devotional 17 May 2024 – Trust Jesus and Fear Not
MEMORY VERSE: “And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” Mark 4:40 KJV
TEXT: MARK 4:35-41
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 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. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 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?”
39 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. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
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The person of Jesus was an enigma to the Jews of His day. Even His disciples could not fully comprehend who He was. The Book of Saint Mark Gospel records in vivid details how an air of mystery surrounded Him throughout His earthly life and ministry. The Jewish leaders kept wondering who He really was, and why He acted the way He did.
In our text, a great storm arose to the point of tearing their boat into pieces. His disciples became terribly afraid, to the point that they cried out to Him. But the Master, undisturbed, was conformably taking rest in a deep sleep. In response to their outcry, Jesus confidently woke up and commanded the wind to calm down, as He simply said to the waves, “Be still.” Instantly, the wind died down, and there was absolute calmness. At this point, Jesus rebuked His disciples. He queried them for their lack of faith.
The fact that Jesus, the Grand Commander of the universe was in the boat, was enough reason they should have dispelled all fears. Even in our own lives as believers, with the presence of Jesus, we should entertain a great emotional quietness at all times, knowing that He has every element of nature under His firm control (Psalms 65:7; 89:9; Luke 4:39). This is the point Jesus wanted His disciples to understand. They should have known that all things were now under His care and authority because He is head over all things (John 13:3; 17:2). Moreover, following His ascension, God “put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church” (Ephesians 1:22).
Following His death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus is now in firm and absolute control over all things for the sake of the Church. Believers must understand that the phrase “All things” include all that are in both the physical and the spirit world. In other words, both the celestial world and terrestrial spheres are now under the authority of Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-3; 1 Peter 3:22). True believers should have no choice but to look up to Him always and in all circumstances. He remains “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Trust Him always, and dispel all fears.
- Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Also, without faith, so many of our blessings cannot be made manifest. Do you agree?
- Lord Jesus, please help my faithless life.
Further Reading: Exodus 10:1-11; 1 Kings 21:17-29; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-13
ESOCS Devotional 17 May 2024
