“These verses describe a storm on the sea of Galilee, when our Lord and His disciples were crossing it, and a miracle performed by our Lord in calming the storm in a moment.
Few miracles recorded in the Gospel were so likely to strike the minds of the disciples as this.
Four of them at least were fishermen. Peter, Andrew, James, and John, had probably known the sea of Galilee, and its storms, from their youth.
Few events in our Lord’s journeyings to and fro upon earth, contain more rich instruction than the one related in this passage.
Let us learn, in the first place, that Christ’s service does not exempt His servants from storms. Here were the twelve disciples in the path of duty.
They were obediently following Jesus, wherever He went.
They were daily attending on His ministry, and hearkening to His word.
They were daily testifying to the world, that, whatever Scribes and Pharisees might think, they believed on Jesus, loved Jesus, and were not ashamed to give up all for His sake.
Yet here we see these men in trouble, tossed up and down by a tempest, and in danger of being drowned.
Let us mark well this lesson. If we are true Christians, we must not expect everything smooth in our journey to heaven.
We must count it no strange thing, if we have to endure sicknesses, losses, bereavements, and disappointments, just like other men.
Free pardon and full forgiveness, grace by the way and glory at the end, —all this our Saviour has promised to give.
But He has never promised that we shall have no afflictions. He loves us too well to promise that.
By affliction He teaches us many precious lessons, which without it we should never learn.
By affliction He shows us our emptiness and weakness, draws us to the throne of grace, purifies our affections, weans us from the world, makes us long for heaven.
In the resurrection morning we shall all say, “it is good for me that I was afflicted.” (Psalm 119:71)
We shall thank God for every storm.”
–J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Mark (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1859/2012), 66-67. Ryle is commenting on Mark 4:35-41.
Leave a Reply