Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

April 29
Tuesday


CHRIST IN
THE STORM

READ:
Mark 4:33-41
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Why are you so
fearful? How is it that
you have no faith?
__Mark 4:40
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At the age of 27, Rembrandt painted the seascape Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee based on the story in Mark 4. With its distinctive contrast of light and shadow, Rembrandt's painting shows a small boat threatened with destruction in a furious storm. As the disciples struggle against the wind and waves, Jesus is undisturbed. The most unusual aspect, however, is the presence in the boat of a 13th disciple whom art experts say resembles Rembrandt himself.

Mark's gospel describes the disciples' vivid lesson about who Jesus is and what He can do. While they were frantically trying to save a sinking boat, Jesus was asleep. Didn't He care that they were all about to die? (v.38). After Jesus calmed the storm (v.39), He asked the penetrating question, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" (v.40). Then they were even more afraid, exclaiming to each other, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" (v.41).

We could also put ourselves in this story and discover, just as Jesus' disciples did, that to each person who trusts in Jesus Christ, he reveals His presence, compassion, and control in every storm of life. __David McCasland

``````````````````````Be still, my heart; for faithful is the Lord,
``````````````````````And pure and true and tried His holy Word;
`````````````````````Through stormy flood which rageth as the sea,
```````````````````His promises thy stepping-stones shall be. __Anon.
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God is a safe dwelling place in life's storms.

********************************Today's Bible Reading __ Mark 4:33-31****************************

33 And with many such
parables He spoke the word
to them as they were able to
hear it. 14 But without a
parable He did not speak to
them. And when they were
alone, He explained all
things to His disciples.

35 On the same day, when
evening had come, He said
to them, "Let us cross over
to the other side." 36 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. 37 And a
great windstorm arose, and
the waves beat into the
boat, so that it was already
filling. 38 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?:

39 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.

40 But He said to them,
"Why are you so fearful?
How is it that you have no
faith?"

41 And they feared
exceedingly, and said to one
another, "Who can this be,
that even the wind and the
sea obey Him!"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Mark 4:35-5:43 records four miracles that answer the question,
"Who can this be?" (4:1). These miracles demonstrated Jesus'
absolute power over nature (4:35-41), the spiritual world (5:1-20),
physical illnesses (5:21-34), and death (5:35-43). Each miracle
shows Jesus as the omnipotent sovereign God. Yet in this passage,
Mark provides one of the most amazing contrasts. Just before Jesus
displayed the awesome powers of His deity, we are given a touching
picture of His humanity: Jesus was so tired that even the violent
tossing of the waves did not wake Him (v.38).