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An Opposing Storm

Mark 4:35-41 – “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.   And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”

 In verse 35 Jesus leaves the multitude to make a journey to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  This crossing is the beginning of a new assignment. He had an appointment on the other side in the country of the Gadarenes.

When Jesus begins this journey He encounters an opposing storm.  Verse 37 reads, “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.”  When you attempt to cross over to the other side where real ministry takes place you will encounter a storm.

This storm came without warning.  It came in direct opposition to Jesus and His disciples to hinder them from fulfilling their assignment on the other side of the sea.  This storm not only threatened their journey, but it threatened their very lives and welfare.  The boat is filling with water and threatening to sink. 

Several of these disciples were seasoned fishermen who were had navigated these waters for most of their lives.  They had likely sailed through numerous storms. But they are powerless against this storm.  In verse 38 they wake up the Lord who is asleep on a pillow and said, “Do You not care that we are perishing?”

There is something different about this storm.  This storm is an opposing storm sent by the enemy.  It was designed to keep Jesus from crossing over to the other side.  Jesus recognized the handiwork of the enemy.  How do we know this was a storm designed by the enemy? Listen to the words of Jesus as He speaks to this storm in verse 38, “Peace be still!”


You may be in the midst of an opposing storm today.  Jesus Himself will step up on the bow of your boat and say, “Peace be still!” to your storm. 

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