Sunday Mark 4:35-41

Prayer: O God, grant us the wisdom of your Word as we meditate today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost—Lectionary 12

(Adapted from Christ in Our Home – daily devotions)

³⁹ And waking up, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Be silent! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 

What do you worry about that keeps you up at night? Or that distract you during the daylight? What are you afraid of? When I was faced with issues and fears, I learned to ask myself, “What is the worst that could happen if things went wrong?” Most of the time it helped when I realized that the worst would not be fatal. It helps us to learn what creates the anxiety. It also helps us feel empathy for others who struggle with things that they worry about.

It is our faith that teaches us the Jesus brings God’s gift of peace in wonderful and mysterious ways. We don’t understand how usually because this peace is beyond our understanding. In today’s text we see that Jesus can command the winds and the seas. He has the power to calm even the weather. This story can show us that we can trust in the promises of God’s Word, even as we do our best to share this gift of peace with others. The storms of life come to all of us, but they are no match for the power of Jesus and God’s love for us all.

Prayer: “Just as the wind and waves obey your will, Lord, let your will be done in us and through us. Amen.”

Mark 4:35-41

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Jesus Stills a Storm

³⁵ On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” ³⁶ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. ³⁷ A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. ³⁸ But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” ³⁹ And waking up, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Be silent! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. ⁴⁰ He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” ⁴¹ 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?”