Bible Study – Mark 5

/ Just Add Water. Chris Bonham

S – He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 

41 And they were terrified, and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

Mark 4:39–41 CSB 

O – Commentary:

Jesus rebuked His disciples for being afraid (deiloi, “cowardly fear”) in a crisis. Despite Jesus’ tutoring (vv. 11, 34) it still had not dawned on them that God’s authority and power were present in Jesus. This is what He meant by His second question, Do you still have no faith? (cf. 7:18; 8:17–21, 33; 9:19)

In stilling the storm Jesus assumed the authority exercised only by God in the Old Testament (cf. Pss. 89:8–9; 104:5–9; 106:8–9; 107:23–32). That is why the disciples were terrified (lit., “feared a great fear”) when they saw that even the forces of nature did obey Him. The verb “terrified” (from phobeomai, “have awe;” cf. deilos, “cowardly fear,” in Mark 4:40) refers to a reverence that overtakes people in the presence of supernatural power (cf. 16:8). However, their question to one another, Who is this? indicated that they did not fully comprehend the significance of it all.

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Whatever “storm” we are facing, God is in it with us.  We are not alone.  He is in the boat with us. Faith can stop the storm or God can continue to allow it to happen.  But, he is still with us.  Our confidence needs to be in his presence and not his deliverance.  Jesus knew there was so much more for him and all of his disciples to accomplish.  He didn’t fear the storm because he knew that all were going to make it and survive. We can put our faith in God that He knows and holds all of our lives.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Peace.  Help us recognize your presence in our challenges.  We want our faith to grow where there is genuine confidence in your ability to lead us through the situations and model your power and love.