Life’s storms can shake us to the core, leaving us questioning God’s care or presence. In Mark 4:35-41, we find the disciples in a literal storm, gripped by fear as Jesus sleeps calmly in the boat. Pastor Léveillé’s sermon draws from this passage to address a profound question Jesus asks: “Why are ye so fearful?” Through this familiar story, we’re invited to see how storms, though daunting, become opportunities to deepen our trust in Christ. Let’s explore three key truths from this passage that reveal Jesus’ role in our storms and how they shape our faith.
Jesus is Present, Even When He Seems Passive (Mark 4:35-38)
The disciples found themselves in a fierce storm, waves crashing into the boat, threatening to sink it. Yet Jesus, who had led them into this journey, was asleep in the stern, resting on a pillow. His calmness seemed like indifference to the disciples, prompting their desperate cry: “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Pastor Léveillé reminds us that Jesus’ apparent passivity wasn’t a sign of carelessness but of divine confidence. He wasn’t aloof; He was fully in control, resting in the assurance that no storm could thwart His purpose. When we obey God’s call and still face trials, it’s easy to mistake His silence for absence. But Jesus is always present, even when He seems passive. His promise to be with us never wavers, regardless of the waves crashing around us. Like the disciples, we may question His care, but His presence is guaranteed by His promise, not our feelings.
Jesus Has Power, Even Over What You Can’t Control (Mark 4:39)
When Jesus awoke, He didn’t merely calm the storm; He rebuked it with authority, commanding, “Peace, be still.” Instantly, the wind ceased, and a “great calm” settled over the sea. Pastor Léveillé emphasizes that Jesus’ command wasn’t a gentle suggestion but a display of divine power, using the same word as when He cast out demons. This wasn’t just a weather event; it was creation obeying its Creator. The disciples wanted relief, but Jesus revealed His sovereignty. No storm, diagnosis, or circumstance is beyond His control. Pastor Léveillé shares the story of missionary Edgar Figali, whose apartment in war-torn Beirut was spared when a bomb failed to detonate. This wasn’t luck but a testament to Jesus’ authority over what we cannot control. Whether it’s financial strain, health challenges, or emotional turmoil, Jesus’ power remains unmatched, bringing peace to our hearts and homes.
Jesus Uses Storms to Expose and Grow Your Faith (Mark 4:40-41)
After calming the storm, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” Their fear wasn’t just about the storm but a deeper doubt about Jesus’ care. Pastor Léveillé explains that this fear reflects a faltering faith, where the disciples’ theology collapsed under pressure. They believed Jesus could save them from sin but struggled to trust Him as their sustainer in the storm. Yet, Jesus didn’t shame them; He used the storm to expand their vision of who He is. The disciples’ awe—“What manner of man is this?”—reveals how the storm shifted their focus from danger to Christ’s divine authority. Pastor Léveillé recounts the story of Louisa Stead, who, after losing her husband, clung to Jesus through hardship and penned the hymn, “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” Storms aren’t random; they’re God’s classroom, teaching us to know Him more deeply and trust Him more fully.
Conclusion
Storms, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, test our faith but also reveal Jesus’ unchanging nature. He is present, even when He seems silent; powerful, even over what we can’t control; and purposeful, using trials to grow our trust in Him. As Pastor Léveillé encourages, let’s pray, “Lord, teach me to know you more through this storm.” The winds and waves still know His name, and through the storm, we can know Him better than ever before. If you’re facing a storm, take heart: Jesus is in the boat, and He’s leading you to a deeper faith.
