PENTECOST 4 – June 20, 2021 – Mark 4:35-41
“A GREAT CALM”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from Mark 4. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- There will always be dangers and threats that we have to face. The world is out of balance because of human sin. We face danger from other sinners. We also face dangers in nature because of God’s curse on human sin.
- Thankfully, many of these dangers remain out of mind. I suspect that there have been many times that someone has stalked me, perhaps to rob me. But it hasn’t happened. I’m certain that many times someone has been angry enough at me to do me harm, but God has prevented it. I suspect that there have been many times when I have acted foolishly, whether unknowingly or purposefully, and God has kept me from harm that should have come in consequence.
- Then there are the dangerous things that we are aware of. And if we think of all of them we could become quite paranoid and neurotic. You probably know someone like that, perhaps someone who is a hypochondriac, or a health food nut.
- Courage is an important characteristic to build. However, to have courage requires that you are being threatened. Courage doesn’t need to exist or to be utilized where there is no danger. Courage is a matter of how one handles danger and threats.
- Now “courage” can be mere bravado. Or courage can be based on weak or uncertain considerations. But if your courage has a good and solid foundation, then it will always hold up.
- Such courage however, as we see Jesus teach it, has to do with faith. There are two things in our text that Jesus was concerned about. First, of course, the stilling of the storm so that there was “A GREAT CALM.” Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, He was concerned with creating “A GREAT CALM” in the hearts of His disciples – by means of faith and trust in Him, in God!
- This is also His concern for us to this very day, even though He protects us through many storms and dangers in life. From our text we learn that:
I. Even Jesus Was Not Immune From Disasters
Text: “A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.”
Statement: I’m not much of a mariner, but I have been fishing in small boats when storms arose and threatened to swamp the boat. Even though a strong swimmer back then, these experiences were daunting. I can hardly imagine how these disciples, even though fishermen and accustomed to being on the water, were feeling so far out from shore in such a horrific storm. Well our text says how they felt. They were panicked to the point of needing Divine help, from Jesus.
Application: This is something for us to remember when we face storms and dangers in life. Jesus is still there with us. His hand of protection is over us. He is waiting for us to turn to Him, to seek His help and assistance. And just as Jesus stilled the storm and demonstrated His Divine power over everything, so also He can protect us and preserve us through all the dangers and storms in our lives! And this is certain even though:
II. There Are Times When The Lord Seems Aloof To Our Woes And Fears, Asleep, Perhaps Uncaring
Text: “Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’”
Statement: I wonder what Jesus was dreaming about, how sound His sleep actually was. These are mysteries of His Divine nature and His human nature. Regardless, He was surely able to help and save the disciples and He certainly cared about them and loved them. Yes, and He loved them enough to teach them what truly matters even when faced with disaster.
Application: And frankly, this is precisely the matter when God sometimes allows us to face dangers and difficulties in life – of all types. Whether financial catastrophes, or health catastrophes, or pandemics, or crime, or the evil flaunted all around us these days, or relationship difficulties, or the death of a loved one. God allows us to face these things, and sometimes seems slow to answer our prayers, or to grant us relief. But He is teaching us faith and courage, preparing us, and drawing us closer to Himself.
And He is the sure and certain basis for our faith, our hope, and our courage:
III. His Power Is Awesome, Complete
A. He Has The Power To Deal With All Troubles And To Keep Us Safe
Text: “Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
B. He Teaches Us That We Should Trust Him, And Believe In Him
Text: “He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’”
C. If We Grasp And Understand How Powerful He Is, And How Much He Loves Us We Will Have Great Awe And Reverence For Jesus – And A Great Calm Within Us
Text: “They were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?’”
Statement: If we know these things, and believe in Jesus, then whatever the problem we face, we follow a simple set of steps. First, we remember Jesus is with us always and already knows what we are facing. Second, Jesus is in charge of everything, and is Almighty. He can deal with whatever we have. Third, Jesus loves us more than anyone, and cares for us, and will only allow what is best for us to experience. We remember He is working all things together for our good. Therefore we have courage, and a great calm, no matter what we face.
Application: Now, this isn’t to say that we have no nervousness, or no fear. Of course we should when we have a good understanding of the dire nature of some of the things that we may face. Remember, courage is not being a Pollyanna! Courage is standing firm, strong, and calm in the face of great danger. This is the great inner calm that our dear Lord seeks to give us.
Conclusion: Of course the ultimate assurance of Jesus’ love for us is His suffering and death on the cross in our place. Here again we see that He was not insulated from danger, but willing to endure the utmost to save us. It is certainly as the apostle Paul observed: “He that spared not His own Son, but freely gave Him up for us all, how will He not also along with Him graciously give us all things.” [Rom. 8: 32] The answer to this rhetorical question is “of course He will give us all good things.”
This is the confidence and trust that we have in God and in Jesus! And most of the time our great storms and disasters do return to “A GREAT CALM,” by the power and blessing of God. But more importantly, we are enabled and empowered through faith to maintain “A GREAT CALM” within us. And we certainly are in a far better position to maintain equilibrium and to help out if we have calm and courage in the face of danger rather than being rattled and freaking out with fear.
So remember this great Jesus, Who controls not only wind and sea, but everything in all of creation. Remember that He loves you, and has already died for you, so that your sins are forgiven and you are at peace with God. Remember especially in times of trial and difficulty, that by faith in Jesus you may always have “A GREAT CALM.” Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.