Mark 4:35-41
"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!”And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
God does many things on a daily basis to test our hearts and minds, He tests the fruits that are birthed in our hearts to see how we will respond in any given situation.
Are we faithful when disaster strikes, are we peaceful when the storm rises up and threatens to overtake us?
Jesus is the prince of peace and He trusted the Father completely with His life while He walked this earth as the Son of man and the Son of God. He knew and understood that no matter what was going on around Him, that God was with Him and would protect Him from harm and death. Jesus had peace.
Are you peaceful when there's an unforeseen accident? Are you peaceful when you lose your job and the rent is due and the kids are hungry? Or do you go off and lose your temper not knowing what to do?
While Jesus slept in the boat the disciples were becoming more and more fearful of death as the storm raged and the waters started to fill up the boat.
How could Jesus sleep in the midst of a raging storm, howling winds, flooding boat, and fearful, yelling disciples? PEACE!
Strong's Lexicon gives us this definition of Peace.
G1515: 1. A state of national tranquillity, a. exemption from the rage and havoc of war 5. of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. (Blue Letter Bible)
The disciples might have thought Jesus didn't care about them because He was sleeping while the storm raged, but that was their state of mind and being at the time. Jesus loved them all, but they had to go through the experience to learn how to trust in God and follow the example of Jesus.
John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Phillipians 4:6-7
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
In Jesus,
Tyrone
