February 20
Mark 4:26-5:20
In my whitewater canoeing days, my little canoe would more often than I liked hit a large wave and the cold water would rush into the boat. The air bags would struggle to keep me and the canoe afloat as I attempted to maneuver it to shore. The disciples found themselves in a similar situation in the Sea of Galilee. Mark 4:37 says “the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped” (ESV and NIV). According to the NIV Cultural Study Bible a surviving Galilean fishing boat is 27 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and possibly 4.3 feet deep. These boats were rather small.
In the stern of the disciples’ boat, Jesus was asleep. I picture the story going down like this. The terrified disciples had been rowing to the point of exhaustion and the water kept pouring into the boat. Desperate they see Jesus sleeping in the stern. They shake Jesus and scream, “Don’t you care that we are dying?” Jesus awakens and calmly says to the storm, “Peace! Be still!” The waves subsided. The disciples knew God created the heavens and the seas. Yet when Jesus, who had performed so many miracles in their presence calmed the storm, they said, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (v.41). He is the Son of God. He is the one, true king over storms, lakes, trials, and difficulties of life. So, we need to acknowledge him as our king and allow his power to rule over our lives.
Father God, thank you for sending King Jesus. Help me to live under his power, rule, and authority. Amen.
What difference should Jesus’ kingly power make in your life today?
In my whitewater canoeing days, my little canoe would more often than I liked hit a large wave and the cold water would rush into the boat. The air bags would struggle to keep me and the canoe afloat as I attempted to maneuver it to shore. The disciples found themselves in a similar situation in the Sea of Galilee. Mark 4:37 says “the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped” (ESV and NIV). According to the NIV Cultural Study Bible a surviving Galilean fishing boat is 27 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and possibly 4.3 feet deep. These boats were rather small.
In the stern of the disciples’ boat, Jesus was asleep. I picture the story going down like this. The terrified disciples had been rowing to the point of exhaustion and the water kept pouring into the boat. Desperate they see Jesus sleeping in the stern. They shake Jesus and scream, “Don’t you care that we are dying?” Jesus awakens and calmly says to the storm, “Peace! Be still!” The waves subsided. The disciples knew God created the heavens and the seas. Yet when Jesus, who had performed so many miracles in their presence calmed the storm, they said, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (v.41). He is the Son of God. He is the one, true king over storms, lakes, trials, and difficulties of life. So, we need to acknowledge him as our king and allow his power to rule over our lives.
Father God, thank you for sending King Jesus. Help me to live under his power, rule, and authority. Amen.
What difference should Jesus’ kingly power make in your life today?
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