Mark 4:35-41
The Sea of Galilee is only five miles wide and thirteen miles long, but it has a unique history involving storms. It is 600 feet below sea level – so deep in the basin that cold air and warm air often come together to create a huge storm.
In this passage, Jesus had just finished a long day of ministry. He had been confronted by the leaders o the day; the crowds were with him constantly and he was teaching them. By now, he was surely exhausted. So Jesus took a boat across the lake and did what we would do. He rested.
Verses 35-36
The Lord first said, “let us.” When you accept the Lord, He doesn’t just send you to the water alone. The disciples started out enjoying a time to rest from a long day. They were obedient to follow the commandment from the Lord – doing just as He said. The leisurely and enjoyable trip was soon turned into a frightening experience.
Verse 37
They probably had no idea that a storm was in the forecast. Storms can be unpredictable. Matthew used the word “seismos,” which means “earthquake” to describe this storm. Luke tells us that the ship was full of water. The waves covered the ship, and if something didn’t change, they were heading to the bottom of the sea.