Remember the story in Mark 4: where Jesus and the disciples are in the boat and it starts raining...okay...it starts outrageously storming...killer winds...waves so high they are nearly capsizing the boat? I know...kind of makes you want to got on a cruise for your next vacation! I love how afraid the disciples get! Personally, I’m thinking...normal, sane response! And then one of my favorite words appears... “rebuke”. How often do you get to use that word...okay not counting when you’re joking around with a friend who needs to stop acting like an idiot? Seriously, is that not a great word? I looked it up in the dictionary. Check out what it said... to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand. Those waves and that wind got a serious verbal whooping! Why does this matter?
In the 1st century, when this story was taking place, the Jews believed that “chaos” (think high winds and crashing waves) was evil. So, every time a major thunderstorm happened, fear arose because the thought was that it was an evil manifestation. Think about it; whenever you’ve heard this story taught, hasn’t the “life lesson” been “and Jesus shows His power over nature, thus proving He is God”? Now that is an amazing application, but what if we looked at that story in light of the context and the history we know now? If the disciples were sitting in that boat feeling like the “chaos” (of evil) was overtaking them, doesn’t their fear make a whole lot more sense? I mean, it’s not just about dying in a storm anymore, it’s about living through chaotic evil until death eventually happens! I’m thinking...pick me, pick me...not! Right?
The text does not tell us how long the “chaos” lasted. It only tells us that Jesus eventually rebuked the “chaos” (evil). For me...that’s comforting. Sometimes we forget that Jesus gave us a heads up... “in this world you will have many troubles” (Jn 16:33) and we get overwhelmed with feeling that life is unbearable unfair, and stinks (to put it nicely). How easily we forget about the last part of that verse, “but take heart I have overcome the world.” Yes, while we are here we will endure many hurtful and difficult things. Sin is alive and well and it effects our lives. Sometimes people do and say things that make us feel incredibly devalued, disrespected, unsafe, and downright abandoned! It can be lonely and frustrating!
This is especially real to me right now b/c I recently received a FB note from a high school student living in the middle of a serious thunderstorm. The “chaos” (evil) is clearly evident. And, as many of us can understand, she just wants to quit. It all feels too overwhelming. I want her to stay in the boat and believe. I want her to know that Jesus has power over evil...that one day all things will be made right. But none of us knows how long we have to live in the “chaos”. So if your parents are fighting or divorcing, your friends are being cruel, or that guy who said he “loved” you just thoughtlessly walked away, hold on to the truth that Jesus has the power to “rebuke” that “chaos”...and He will. He brought calm to the lives of those fearful grown men, and He will do the same for us if we wait and hope in Him.
Journey through it:
- Is there something going on right now that feels like “chaos” in your life? Do you feel like you are in the middle of a thunderstorm w/out an umbrella? : ( Hold on to this truth...
- Psalm 34:19 - The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
- If yes, then find a time to pour out your heart to God. Let Him know how bad it hurts. Give yourself the gift of tears! And be honest...if you want to give up, if you’re mad at Him...let Him know! His love is unconditional and He can take it (read the Psalms...David is pretty expressive)! Try praying some of these...
- Psalm 10:17 - Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their (my) cries and comfort them (me).
- Psalm 13:3 - Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
- Psalm 23:4 - Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
- Then, write down some truth. This is so important b/c when we are in the middle of tough stuff it is so easy to lose perspective and focus. I’ll give you some “perspective” verses, you can search the Scriptures for some warm and fuzzy verses about God. : ) If you want specific ones for your situation let me know!
- 1 Peter 5:8-10
- James 1:2-4
- James 5:13
- Romans 8:28-29
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