“He [Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to His disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!'” — Mark 4:39-41 (NIV)

Even the Wind and the Waves Obey Him

The 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea gave witness to amazing athletic achievements and introduced the world to a host of new Olympic stars. The 2018 Winter Games also reminded us how weather can impact sporting events. Powerful winds postponed many of the downhill ski events for days and knocked down skiers and snowboarders alike as they navigated down treacherous slalom courses.

As Olympic athletes were battling the winds in South Korea, thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean, surfers waded into the frigid Northern California waters outside Half Moon Bay, hoping to catch a ride on one of the largest waves in the world at a place called “Maverick’s,” where waves can reach heights of 60 feet.

For people living in the first century, wind and waves were a part of life too. Jesus was serving and teaching on the shores of the Sea of Galilee when He and His disciples got into a boat one evening to go travel to another city. On their journey, Jesus took a nap. As Jesus was sleeping, a large storm overtook the boat and threatened to capsize it. Mark, 4:38 tells us, “The disciples woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ Jesus got up from his nap and spoke to the wind and waves saying ‘Quiet! Be Still!'”

As soon as Jesus said these words, the wind and waves became completely calm. The disciples were amazed and even a bit fearful of Jesus, asking themselves in Mark 4:41, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!”

So who was Jesus? The Bible tells us that Jesus is our Savior, God in the flesh, the One with the authority over nature and creation (Colossians 2:10) and the One with the authority and power to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). Have you placed your faith in Jesus as your Savior and Lord? If not, make today the day you put your trust in Jesus as your Savior (the once-and-for-all Forgiver of your sins) and Lord (the Leader of your life).

— Matt Doan

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