Last week I referenced three words found in Mark 4:39. Today, I expand my thoughts to water rescues, questions posed, rebukes given, personal application, and other scriptures I consider when the words, “Peace, be still” touch my heart.
- Luke and Mark both record a fear-filled experience crossing the Sea of Galilee (Lake of Gennesaret) while Jesus sleeps.
- Matthew, Mark, and John share the visually striking walking on water incident during the night, after feeding five thousand hungry listeners earlier.
| Luke 8:22-25 | Mark 4:36-41 |
| Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over not the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! For he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. | And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? |
Matthew 14
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Mark 6
47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
John 6
16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
What do they ‘fear’?
Why do they need rescuing? How does Jesus rescue?
How does your attitude affect your reactions, actions, and responses to rebuke?
Matthew 14:32-33 “And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.”
“Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”
Mark 4:51 “And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.“
John 6:12 “Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.”
When did the winds cease and the waters become still? All the accounts teach that once Jesus is on the ship, peace and stillness result. I like to think of my life as a ship when contemplating these incidents. I can relate them personally. When I think Jesus is asleep, I remind myself he is aboard and will answer my call. While the waters may be rough and the winds boisterous, as long as he is with me, I am protected. He is the master.
What about Peter’s experience? Peter is one of my scripture heroes! I have always had an affinity for him.
Matthew 14
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
What was the water like when Peter left the ship? I find it interesting that Peter asked the Lord to bid him out onto the water, and when he climbs overboard, the sea is still in turmoil from the wind. Why would he want to go? What does this say about his faith and trust in Jesus? Did he not notice the ‘boisterous wind’ before walking to his friend? Calling upon Jesus to save him, he took hold of the outstretched hand.
What is the condition of the figurative water you are either walking upon or sailing through?
What makes it that way?
Can you imagine Jesus asking these questions of you? Where is your faith? Why are ye so fearful? How is that ye have no faith? …wherefore didst thou doubt? I have heard these words. I contemplate the evidence of my faith, God’s blessings in my life, His guiding hand, people who care about me, and then I sing the hymns of grateful praise and thanksgiving.
Vicki’s Book of Life. Chapter-Apr 22-May 2/20. Verse: Wednesday
Now it came to pass on a certain day that she embarked on her seafaring voyage, after a night without sleep. Grey skies matching the mood in her heart, brooding and wondering, with the anchor aweigh she feels a gentle breeze catch her sails.
No sooner cast from shore, a great storm of wind arises, darkening the sky, stressing sails, pulling her vessel into the midst of the sea, and causing gigantic swells, testing the ship’s seaworthiness. In an angry display, the sea swells upward, tossing the boat to and fro, soaking the carefully maintained deck with pooling waters. Drenched by waterfall sized breakers folding menacingly over her handiwork, she knows not how or where to reach for safety and security. Both her tormented mind and beleaguered heart miserably failing, laid siege by regrets and brokenness, suffer the wrath of nature’s internal cataclysmic forces and terrify. She wants to vanish, to escape, and alleviate the piercing pain that comes with every breath.
Hours of rocking, nausea clawing a circular path inside her guts with no escape, and tears biting her cheeks she surrenders to painful realizations in her life. Her fear-driven anguished spirit cries out, “Master, carest thou not that I perish? Help me! What is wrong with me? I bear more sorrow than I thought possible, but thou knowest more yet. You experienced my heart in Gethsemane. Lord, save me! Rescue me from these waters.”
Immediately, the soft, sweet assurance whispers. “You know I have always been here. No harm can befall with your Comforter near. ‘Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.’ Be of good cheer, be not afraid.”
Clarity begins its settling influence. Sorely amazed within herself and wondering at His goodness, patience, mercy and love she retires with rebuke received, faith renewed, fear abated, and hope in tomorrow’s dawning.
How do you respond when the Lord commands the elements in your life to be at peace, be still, and of good cheer?
Where, why, and when have you experienced the raging sea threatening to drown you in the depths? How long do you avoid seeking help?
How did/do you survive the tumultuous waves?
Thinking symbolically or figuratively, what conclusions can you draw from your own experiences with the Savior when assailed by winds and waves?
How do your encounters with the living Son of the living God change you?
The following scriptures echo in my mind when I am assaulted by the storms of life, many of my own making. He always strengthens, comforts, and lifts me to soar above seas of disastrous proportions. He is omnipotent, the constant source of light in the darkest skies, my Savior. While I continue to enter rough waters because I hear his voice and want to be in his company, his hand is outstretched and I reach. When I doubt and fear, his words gently rebuke all the boisterous, strong winds and waves filling my ship, soaking my feet, accompanying me safely to shore. He knows my heart. He loves me. He protects me. There truly is no searching of his understanding. It is he that transforms my weaknesses, increasing my ability to withstand, to face, to overcome and to worship him with all my might, mind and heart. When life’s happenings overwhelm, there is peace and stillness when I humbly reach heavenward and take hold of the offerings held firm by the rescuer’s hand.
Life happens. . . so do rescues.
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 40
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Psalm 27:14
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”
