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God in the Boat

Mark 4:35-41 records the story of Jesus calming the wind and the waves.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he 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?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"   (Mar 4:35-41 ESV)

The disciples' fear before the terror of the storm is to be expected.  Several of these men were seasoned fishermen who would certainly be aware of the dire peril such a storm presented.  What is puzzling is their continuing fear after the storm had been stilled.  Shouldn't they have been rejoicing in their deliverance? Shouldn't there be relief after such a threat?

Instead they are terrified because they have just witnessed a power beyond that of the storm.  They have just seen the power of God Almighty displayed in silencing the tumult. I would even go so far as to suggest that as faithful Old Testament believers that they knew this to be fact.

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and braised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters1 were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.  (Psalm 107:23-30 ESV)

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