Two Storms
Two storms separated by centuries are described with uncanny similarity. One storm occurred on the Mediterranean as the rebellious prophet Jonah sought to run away from God; the other occurred on the Sea of Galilee as the Son of God was crossing to the other side. Consider how the book of Jonah and the Gospel of Mark compare the two:
Jonah 1:4-16 Mark 4:35-41
Great wind Great windstorm
Mighty tempest Waves breaking in the boat
Ship threatened to break up Boat was filling
Jonah was fast asleep Jesus was asleep
Captain wakes Jonah Apostles wake Jesus
Sailors are exceedingly afraid Apostles are afraid
Sea ceased Wind ceased and there was calm
Both Jonah and Jesus affect the storm. Jonah promised that if the sailors threw him into the water, the storm would cease. It did. Jesus rebuked the storm with His words and chaos quickly subdued into calm. Is there a reason these two accounts are told with such similarity? While Mark did not indicate such an explanation in his writings, a comparison of this nature is certainly not unprecedented within the Bible.
Perhaps Mark would like for his readers to recognize a distinct difference between the Lord’s apostles and the sailors transporting Jonah to Tarshish. These sailors were seafaring men; they earned their living on the water. Similarly, some of the Lord’s apostles were fishermen, who also depended on the water for livelihood. Surely this was not the first storm that either group had encountered, yet their fear illustrates that both storms were life-threatening. The polytheistic sailors cried out to their gods, summoning the favor of whichever deity might be listening to provide aid and comfort. The apostles awaken the Son of God with a terrified rebuke that He doesn’t care about their safety.
The most significant difference between these two groups of men is demonstrated when the storms cease. The sailors, who had already changed the direction of their prayers from the false gods to Yahweh, feared Him exceedingly. Finding whatever was left on the ship, they quickly sacrificed to Him and made vows. The apostles, also filled with great fear, looked at one another and said, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” The text does not state what became of these sailors. Did they remain faithful to this God who had spared them, or did they return to their polytheistic ways? The text does state what happened to the apostles: they went into all the world to deliver the message of salvation as given by the One who saved their lives on the stormy sea. Still, in this one moment in time, men who had no previous contact with the God of Heaven immediately surrendered to Him. Centuries later, men who had been called and taught by the God of Heaven seemed uncertain of His identity. More teaching would follow as the patient Jesus sought to reveal His deity to them.
There is a lesson for the people of God in these storms. As told by Mark, the following miracles had occurred before the stilling of the storm: a man with an unclean spirit was healed, a host of people with various diseases was healed, a leper was healed, a paralytic was healed, and a man with a withered hand was healed. The apostles had seen the power of God exercised on others, yet when the time came for them to personally trust, their faith was found lacking. How many times have Christians read of the Lord’s miracles, with the gospel writers meticulously detailing His power, only to question Him when personal faith is tested?
When the storms come, the ancient mariners set a worthy example. They heard a command spoken by the Lord’s prophet and, though this message seemed counter to what God would want, they complied. When they saw the Lord’s salvation, there was no questioning; it was time for worship and dedication. God does not always cause the storm to cease but He does promise that salvation will come to the one who weathers it. The writer James stated, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). May each child of God listen and obey, even when the command may seem counterintuitive. May each offer to Him a living sacrifice, with the vow of fidelity to the God who saves.
Master, the terror is over,
The elements sweetly rest;
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven’s within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer,
Leave me alone no more;
And with joy I shall make the blessed harbor,
And rest on the blissful shore.
- From the hymn, Peace, be Still, by Mary Ann Baker, 1874
