Life has a way of throwing unexpected storms our way—moments of fear, doubt, and uncertainty that shake the foundations of our faith. In Mark 4:35–41, we find the disciples caught in a literal storm, panicking while Jesus sleeps peacefully. In this powerful sermon, Pastor Eli McTague unpacks how this storm didn’t just threaten their safety—it revealed what they truly believed about Jesus. Through three profound truths, we discover that storms are more than obstacles; they are opportunities for God to reveal His care, challenge our faith, and show us His divine power.
1. A Storm Revealed the Disciples’ Thoughts Regarding Jesus Christ’s Care (Verse 38)
The disciples found themselves in the middle of a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, and in their panic, they questioned Jesus’ concern for their wellbeing. Verse 38 paints the scene vividly: while the disciples were fearing for their lives, Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat. This detail isn’t incidental—it underscores the calmness and control of Jesus even amid chaos.
The disciples woke Him with an accusatory cry, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” This wasn’t just a request for help—it was a revealing moment of their hearts. They mistook Jesus’ silence for indifference. Like many of us, when faced with hardship, they interpreted the quietness of God as a lack of care. But storms don’t just test the sea—they test our view of Christ. The disciples’ question exposed their doubts about Jesus’ compassion and concern for them.
We too may question God’s love when life becomes turbulent. But Jesus’ rest in the storm was not neglect—it was peace, the kind of peace that only trust in the Father brings. His care is not always demonstrated by immediate action, but by His constant presence.
2. A Storm Revealed the Disciples’ Lack of Faith in Jesus Christ (Verse 40)
After calming the storm with just a word, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” His response wasn’t about the storm; it was about their hearts. They had seen His power through miracles. They had walked with Him and listened to His teaching. Yet when the storm hit, fear overwhelmed their faith.
This question wasn’t meant to shame but to expose. Faith isn’t proven when the skies are clear—it’s proven when everything seems to fall apart. Jesus was inviting them to examine why their fear had overridden their trust in Him.
The truth is, fear and faith often wrestle for control in our hearts. The disciples allowed the circumstances to dictate their belief rather than trusting in the One who was with them in the boat. Jesus wanted them to believe not only in His ability to perform miracles but in His sovereign, loving presence in every circumstance.
3. A Storm Revealed the Divine Nature of Jesus Christ (Verse 39)
Verse 39 is one of the most powerful declarations of Christ’s divine nature. With just a few words—“Quiet! Be still!”—Jesus spoke, and the wind and waves obeyed. The disciples witnessed something far greater than a prophet or teacher: they saw the authority of God in human flesh.
Nature itself bowed to His voice. The sea, which symbolized chaos and danger in ancient Jewish thought, was immediately subdued. This wasn’t a coincidence or a lucky moment. It was divine command.
The disciples responded with awe, asking, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” This was the right question—one that the storm had helped them ask. They were coming to realize that Jesus wasn’t just someone sent by God. He was God. The storm had become a classroom for their faith, and Jesus, through His sovereign power, revealed His true identity.
In every storm, God is revealing something—about our hearts, our faith, and most of all, about who He is. The question isn’t whether storms will come; they will. The question is: what will they reveal in us?
