Storm Riders

Mark 4:37-41

And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself 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 got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They became very much afraid and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

Observation:
At this point the disciples are having a lot of momentum in their relationship with Jesus. The context of this chapter reveals that Jesus disclosed the mysteries of the kingdom to the disciples in private, when nobody else was around. Their exclusive relationship with their Master was a privilege because they were exposed to information that was reserved for a few in the inner circle. I bet the disciples felt very special at this moment. But then, Jesus suggests them to “go over to the other side.” They took a boat to go to the “other side” and on the way found a fierce gale of wind that turned into a storm. The disciples were afraid to loose their lives. Perhaps they were frustrated thinking that Jesus made the poor decision to go to the other side when everything was fine where they were. Their frustration increased as the storm was getting fiercer and Jesus did nothing but rest comfortably in sound sleep. No wonder the scared and doubtful disciples cried out, “Don’t you care that we’re perishing?”
The following events blew the disciples away. With the authority of the Son of God, Jesus rebuked both the storm and the disciples. The storm responded to who Jesus was—the Creator of the universe. But the disciples didn’t know how to respond because they still have questions about who Jesus was. They asked each other, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Application:
Who is this that stays closer than a brother when the storm hits? Who is this that can bring peace and comfort in the midst of the most adverse situations? Who is this that patiently allows me to vent even when I doubt Him and still has mercy on me? Who is this that loves me even when I grumble and complain?
The answer to these questions can come from two ways, intellectual knowledge about God and experiential knowledge of God. We can read and hear about a God that does miracles and that promises blessings. Our faith depends on such revelation to take the first steps of intimacy with the Lord. While our intellect is being transformed with the power of God’s word, momentum in our relationship with Him will increase as we feel involved in the inner circle of His love, just like the disciples felt before the storm hit.
But what happens when the fierce winds come and everything in our lives is tested, shaken, and challenged? What happens when all what we know about God is not enough to bring peace as we face death, sickness, loss, depression, guilt from sin, and brokenness? Is at these moments when the experiential revelation of who Jesus is becomes the greatest blessing for our faith. Knowing in our intellects who He is may bring us closer to God’s throne, but experiencing who He is will always brings us closer to God’s heart. Some people know about God, but only those who experience Him know God.
I truly have the greatest admiration for believers that go through the storms of life. They know Jesus in a deeper way than those who doesn’t. For example, a good friend of mine has gone through the storm of cancer twice in the last three years. My friend is part of a group properly called “Storm Riders” that brings support and guidance to cancer victims. Her faith and her knowledge of God are superior that many scholars that I know. Books and studies are great but there is nothing like knowing the God that has authority over sickness, death, brokenness, hurt, persecution, and many other storms. We must pursuit both intellectual knowledge and experiential knowledge of the God we worship.
So when Jesus takes us through storms, we must be preoccupied not in the storm but in the One who protect and love us while the storm hits us. Like my pastor (Dr. Wayne Cordeiro) says, “Never allow the outside storm get inside your heart.” We must trust God at all times by letting Him do His work in us, even if He takes us to the “other side” through storms and trials.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please forgive me when I doubt your love for me when I’m going through difficulties. Please let me know you in a deeper way as I walk through the storms of life. Cause everything in me to be devoted to you at all times. Including seasons of heavy rain and fierce winds. I don’t want to know about You alone. I want to know You. Please reveal yourself to me in the very practical areas of my life. I love You more than life Jesus. Make me a Storm Rider that knows your heart. AMEN!