When that evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side.” After they had dismissed the crowd, they took Jesus with them, since He was already in the boat. And there were other boats with Him.
Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?”
Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm.
“Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?”
Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
Mark 4:35—41
Among the disciples of Jesus were seasoned fishermen from the Galilee who knew the sea well. Nevertheless, the storm was so fierce that they feared for their lives. Jesus rebuked the wind and the storm immediately ceased. They had already witnessed him work mighty miracles, but now Jesus decisively demonstrated his divine authority over nature. The disciples were absolutely dumbfounded. God alone can command the sea and silence the waves, as it is written:
“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed.”
Psalms 107:28—29
This demonstration of Jesus’ divine authority should have revealed to his disciples his true identity as the Messiah and Son of God. Instead, they became filled with fear and wonder: “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Jesus rebuked his disciples: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Jesus presented their fear as the complete opposite of faith. Because they had not trusted in Jesus, they became filled with panic and fear.
Consider this: Jesus’ miracles are intended to reveal his true identity to us. Jesus expected that his disciples, who were the closest of all to him, would demonstrate faith in him. But he often found the strongest faith among “outsiders”, such as the four men who brought the paralytic to him. Powerful faith can still be found today among those who have encountered Jesus for the first time.
Only in light of Jesus’ atoning death, and his victorious resurrection three days later, would the disciples finally come to a full understanding of his identity. The failure of the disciples to understand Jesus’ identity is a warning to all. We must beware of how preconceived notions and self-interest can distort our view of Jesus. Jesus is the suffering servant, the crucified and risen Lord, who desires to reign in our lives. Paul the apostle knew Jesus very well and therefore could proclaim:
“I have been crucified with Messiah, and I no longer live, but Messiah lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Galatians 2:20
