this week we started a fast at limacc call “21 Days To Breakthrough”. the fast was from meat, bread, and sugar. along with that fast we were given a daily study guide for Scripture reading and prayer. as i read through the passage given for day 2, Mark 4, i had things that seemed to jump off the page at me. so much so that i keep going back to it, though we’ve moved on.
here are the specific verses that i keep going back to, Mark 4:35-41…
35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” (NLT)
this is a story that i’ve heard before, more than once. but this time i observed things a little differently. here are some notes that i jotted down and keep going back to…
- Jesus invited them to join in what He was doing
- He left them in charge
- they were doing what He asked of them when the storm came
- He was physically with them the whole time and the disciples were still scared
- His own disciples, who knew Him well and were with Him all day…every day…underestimated Him!
- not only did Jesus show His power, but He did so while answering their prayers!
i’m going to continue to process this and how i can apply it to my life, but there are definitely things that i can identify with already…doing what God asks of me…storms…fear…underestimate…His power…answered prayers…OK, pretty much the whole thing!
what is your take?
what are your thoughts?
what can you identify with?
what jumps out at you?
i would greatly appreciate any input you have…it may be something i need! so seriously…
what’s your take?
Jon, I am on day 9 of this exact fast! I’m doing a devotional through YouVersion’s bible app…mine stated no wine/alcohol, and water only to drink–do you get your coffee?!! Day 3 was brutal for me. Anyway, I digress.
God prompted me to do this fast, as I am in a deep state of transition in my life. It was post-war for Daniel, and it was a time he took for mourning and direction. Nothing could be more appropriate for me at this time.
What jumps out to me is the phrase “do you still have no faith.” After all that He had done/shown them/spent time with them on, He was like, “really, it’s gonna be like that?” I can imagine his exasperation. Here He is, performing miracles left and right, and the disciples in their humanity get into panic mode b/c of what is immediately around them. They don’t step outside the “storm” to see that Christ is the one inside the boat, so inside is actually the safest place to be. Sure, it must have gotten tempting as the water began to fill, and that’s probably why JC stayed sleep; just to see how long they could go, or to see if maybe they themselves would exercise Elijah-esque power over nature. Who knows what His intent was in the experiment. But I can see that it was a test of their faith, for sure. Did they pass? More than likely not. Did he still save them when they freaked out? Of course He did.
Oh, and of course I am reminded of your scott krippayne song at LU
Sorry, had to insert that one.
Thanks for sharing Jon, and hold steady on the fast; you’ll be spoken to in some amazing ways.
–B
my wife and i actually started a different 21 day fast with YouVersion back on 1/1…then found out our church was doing one. we evidently needed more than the 21 days!? i have enjoyed some of their suggested readings too. i’m still all over the bean, it’s a good thing i drink it black and bitter! but it does a number on me now if i have too much…
the song reference took me back…wow! great memory…
definitely with you on their lack of faith. not that this story should really make me feel better about my lack of faith, but it allows me to show myself a little more grace…
thanks for sharing…stay strong in your fast!
I have been reading Matthew with the boys. So much packed in there! To read the miracles and activities of Jesus’ life is so good. Filled to the brim with things we can apply to our lives. I am thinking of all that lead up to this passage….Jesus was exhausted! He was teaching thousands who were following Him….wanting healing, taught and even providing miracles through food for them. He had been ministering to them for days. His only way to rest was out on the water…away from the crowds. I guess His exhaustion helps us know how He could sleep through such a storm. The disciples watched Him do amazing things over and over again…things ONLY He has done and could do and yet…they failed to believe and really have faith. They were still asking..”who is this man?”
I sit amazed that they were physically with Jesus Christ and still they struggled to believe…til after His death and resurrection. It is encouraging as well to know that they struggled. To know how often I don’t have enough faith to give Him everything…to trust Him with it all! It is a comfort in some ways knowing I am not alone in that struggle. Even those who He was with the most had a hard time trusting Him and knowing He was who He said He was. I am thankful for His word! I am thankful that it is my Bread…all we need to know Him more and to learn.