Who Is This, That Even the Wind and the Waves Obey Him? (Mark 4:35-41)

 

Who Is This, That Even the Wind and the Waves Obey Him? (Mark 4:35-41)

No one wants to run into trouble. For humans, the sea is a dangerous place. While sailing, one can encounter violent storms and face shipwreck or sinking. Every year, many people lose their lives by drowning in seas, rivers, and lakes.

Our journey through life is much like navigating a rough sea. Natural disasters, accidents, illnesses, broken relationships, and the pressures and stresses of daily life can strike at any moment. That is why people buy insurance to prepare for accidents. Yet, the harsh reality is that no matter how much we prepare, we cannot avoid everything.

In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus got into a boat with his disciples to go to the other side. Along the way, they hit a massive storm. Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves and made them calm. The disciples were amazed, wondering who Jesus was that even the wind and the sea obeyed him.

Let us go over to the other side

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. (Mark 4:35-36)

What was Jesus’ daily life like? He was constantly surrounded by crowds. The twelve disciples and others stayed with him every day. His mother and other women also accompanied him and cared for his needs (Mark 15:41).

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus went out to a solitary place to pray to God the Father (Mark 1:35). He taught the secrets of the kingdom of heaven to those who came to him. He spoke using many parables and explained them to his disciples (Mark 4:34).

At times, Jesus didn't even have a chance to eat, leading to rumors that he was "out of his mind" (Mark 3:21). Because word spread that he healed the sick, so many people gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door (Mark 2:2). Even at night, people brought the sick to him (Mark 1:32-34).

Jesus also clashed with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the law over Sabbath regulations, primarily because he healed people on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-17; John 5:1-18). The Pharisees rejected and denied Jesus Christ—who came as the Son of God—and eventually handed him over to Pilate to be crucified.

Jesus repeatedly told his disciples that he would suffer at the hands of the Pharisees and priests, be killed, and then rise again (Mark 9:31; Luke 9:44; Matthew 17:22-23). As Jews, the young disciples expected a Messiah like King David. They followed Jesus believing he was that kind of Messiah.

Consequently, it was not easy for them to accept a suffering Christ (Mark 8:32). Jesus spent significant time with them, teaching the secrets of the kingdom and planting the gospel of the cross and resurrection. Above all, Jesus cherished and protected the disciples who had left everything to follow him, loving them to the point of giving up his life.

As evening fell, Jesus suggested going to the other side of the sea to spend time with his disciples. The young disciples felt burdened by the crowds that followed them regardless of time or place (Matthew 14:15). It was also quite uncomfortable for them to witness Jesus constantly clashing with the Pharisees and priests (Matthew 15:12). Jesus knew their situation and their hearts (Luke 21:18). He knew they needed rest and recharging. Jesus was the Good Shepherd to his disciples (John 10:11).

A furious squall came up

37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:37-38)

While crossing the Sea of Galilee, a massive storm arose, and waves surged as if to swallow the boat. At that moment, Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. In contrast, the disciples—some of whom were experienced fishermen in these very waters—were filled with the fear of death.

This scene is hard to wrap one's head around. How could a massive storm try to swallow the boat when Jesus Christ, the Creator God who made the heavens and the earth, was on board? Yet, no matter how great the storm, it could not startle the Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator.

Jesus took on human form through the Incarnation; he felt fatigue and hunger. He faced criticism, accusations, and ridicule. However, nothing could shock, anger, or terrify Him.

Through this event, Jesus taught the disciples a new truth (Mark 4:41). Someone once said, "I used to hope for good things to happen. These days, I just hope for nothing to happen." Sometimes our hearts sink when we get a long-distance call from family living far away. Our lists of prayer requests are so diverse and long.

Like the disciples, we often cry out in panic and complain to the peacefully sleeping Jesus. In the midst of hardship or pain, we feel as though God is just a bystander doing nothing.

However, the storm is a tool that leads us to the Lord. The pain and suffering we face in life are evidence of God’s holy, refining love (Hebrews 12:6). God uses various forms of hardship to train us to rely on the Lord Jehovah and to become more like Jesus Christ.

As a measure of growth in Christ, these questions are worth asking: Are you a little less startled by trouble than before? A little less panicked? Do you complain or resent things a little less? Do you look more toward the suffering Jesus Christ? Do you believe that hardship is something everyone faces?

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3-4).

Jesus Calms the Storm

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:39-41)

Jesus woke up and first rebuked the wind. Why did He rebuke the wind? Wind itself is neither right nor wrong; everything God created was "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Jesus rebuked the wind because it was the devil hiding behind the elements, attempting to swallow the disciples. Satan attacks with the evil intent of planting fear, increasing anxiety, and ultimately causing us to resent God and fall away from His love.

When Jesus commanded the sea to be "Quiet! Be still!", the wind stopped and it became perfectly calm. The sea obeyed the word of Jesus Christ, the Creator God (Psalm 77:16).

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into heaps; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm (Psalm 33:6-9).

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a tier, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance (Isaiah 40:12)?

Jesus Christ: The Lord of Salvation

By first calming the wind, Jesus saved His disciples. Sometimes, our pain and difficulties seem to last a long time, and we don't know when they will end. However, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Creator, protects us like the apple of His eye, becomes our shield, and delivers us.

Just as God promised Abraham, He saved his descendants from the grip of Egypt through Moses after four hundred years. According to His plan established before the beginning of time, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth. He fulfilled everything exactly as promised through the Law and the Prophets.

The patriarchs of faith—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—were surrounded by enemies and constantly exposed to threats. However, God was their shield and their very great reward; no matter how strong the enemies were, He protected them so that not a finger could be laid upon them (Genesis 15:1).

At the same time, God refined them so that their faith in the Lord would deepen and remain unshaken. The hardships they faced are the same as the pain and suffering we encounter today, though the times and environments differ (1 Corinthians 10:13). This is evidence that God loves and cherishes us.

Most importantly, God covenanted to send them the Messiah who would save the world from sin. They believed God's covenant, looked forward to the Christ who was to come, and kept their faith while enduring pain in foreign lands. We, likewise, believe in the Christ who came, shed His blood on the cross, and rose again, enduring daily to keep our faith.

Furthermore, together with the pioneers of faith, we hope for the Christ who will come again (Hebrews 11:39-40). When Jesus ascended into heaven in the clouds, God promised through angels that the Lord would return in glory and power (Acts 1:11). We look forward to the Day of the Lord and continue to participate in the remaining sufferings of Jesus Christ.

"Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Jesus then rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. They were afraid because they lacked faith; fear is equivalent to a lack of faith. They failed to realize they were with the Creator God. Some manuscripts record: "Do you still have no faith?" What our Lord desires is faith that trusts in Him.

Jesus fully believed, trusted, and entrusted Himself to God the Father. He always had complete faith in the Father who made the heavens, the earth, and all things. Jesus taught the disciples that He is the Son of Man sent by God.

Only then did the disciples see and believe that Jesus is the Creator God who made and governs all things. They asked, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" The disciples' faith grew to the next level. Their eyes were opened to see and believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, who was with them, is the Creator God who moves the universe. Amen!

God delights in revealing everything about Himself. He also delights in those who believe, seek, and rely on Him. Through the storm, God taught the disciples that the Son of Man is the God who created the heavens and the earth. Through that storm, the disciples learned to follow, believe, and obey Jesus Christ, who came as the Son of Man.

February 1, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.