Theme: COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF MARK CHAPTERS 1-6
Text: “And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” – Mark 4:36-38
Comment: To show that Jesus Christ was a human being while on earth, accounts like this are recorded to show that he was subject to emotions and conditions like tiredness, sleep, hunger, etc. After Christ had preached, until the evening, he dispersed the multitude. This is the example Christians should follow: that the day is meant for people to work; when night comes human beings should go and rest. – John 11:9, 10; Psalm 104:20-23.
As Jesus Christ slept in the ship on a pillow, a great storm broke out. The storm was brought about by Satan the devil with the mind of sinking the ship and drowning Jesus Christ and the apostles. But God allowed it, to glorify His name and teach the apostles some vital truths. “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Verse 39) The point is that the devil raises storms against the people of God with the mind of frightening them into compromising their faith. – See Job 1:9-11; 2:4.
Following the miracle “…they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41) Those who are fearful, who doubt and are easily given to fear of what the devil could do, will not have the favour of God, – Proverbs 29:25; Revelation 21:8.