Study 11
Jesus has power over creation
Read Mark 4v35-41
We must see today's passage as the first of four important miracles. Here Jesus shows His power over nature (or creation). In the next study we will see Jesus' power over a demon-possessed man. Then we will see His power over incurable sickness and even death itself.
Power over nature
Before man turned his back on God there would have been no need for any of these miracles. When God created the land and the seas and placed man to rule over all the earth "it was good" (Genesis 1: 10, 26). No 'evil force' could control man because God had made man in His own 'image'. There was certainly no sickness and death until man rebelled against God. But it is all different now (see Romans 8:22). When Jesus performs miracles He shows that He has the power to restore everything that has gone wrong with man's nature.
Jesus tells the disciples to go into a boat and put out to sea. He felt tired as any other man would do after a busy day and falls asleep. Suddenly a storm blew up which was awesome. Even hardened fishermen were terrified. The disciples cry out to Jesus "don't you care?", "what is to become of us?" Jesus wakes up and within seconds He orders the winds and sea to be calm. And it happened immediately.
It is difficult for us to imagine what those in the other boats were thinking at this point when the storm suddenly ceased.
Jesus turns to the disciples and asks "Why are you so afraid?", “ Do you still have no faith?" Surely they should trust Jesus when he has power over all creation ?
Jesus is God
Verse 41 reveals that they wanted a human Jesus instead of the one the Psalmist speaks about - the Lord: .
"They saw the works of the Lord,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
For he spoke and stirred up a
tempest that lifted high the waves.
They mounted up to the
heavens and went down to the depths.;
in their peril their courage melted away.
They reeled and staggered like drunken men;
they were at their wits end.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men"
(Psalm 107 Verses 24-31).
Time to think
- Since Jesus is God, how should you act before Him?
- How does the fact of Jesus’ power give you comfort.
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