Do you not care that we are perishing?

Mark 4: 35-41 is the story of the calming of the storm at sea. In reading it this time I read it in light not of the communal struggle of the disciples, but of a personal struggle. And in that light it really stood out as a reassuring passage.

In the midst of a major personal struggle I can see myself feeling like Jesus isn’t there and so in frustration I call out to him: “Do you not care that I am perishing?” I feel angry. I feel alone. I feel forgotten.

So where is Jesus? He is still there. And He comes to me. He rebukes that which is causing the struggle and commands it stop. And that which is attacking me/causing me to struggle ceases.

And Jesus asks me, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” And I sit there in awe, grateful for His presence. Grateful that He hears me and knows my struggle even when I think He doesn’t. And a little ashamed that I didn’t have as much patience or trust or hope that He asks me to have.

But how beautiful it is that my lack of faith is not held against me. He still comes to my aid. He is there for me when I need Him even if I forget to be grateful.

The Calming of a Storm at Sea.

35^* On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side.”^m 36Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 38Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”^* The wind ceased and there was great calm. 40Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” 41^* n They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”