Mark 4:35-41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
So what do you think: Does Jesus rebuke the wind or his windblown companions? Okay, so I know he rebukes the wind and calms the sea, but I sure wouldn’t want to be his companions. I mean, I think they had pretty good reason to be afraid, and even sufficient reason to be frustrated that Jesus was sleeping through the crisis. In fact, there’s a way in which Jesus’ action to still the storm vindicates their decision to wake him. So what gives?
And another question, this one actually more uncomfortable for me: is Jesus equating fear with lack of faith? I think this troubles me because I’ve long thought that doubt was an essential part of faith – I mean, if you know everything and have no doubts, in what way do you really need faith? I’ve also thought that courage isn’t the opposite of fear, but being able to stand faithful and do what needs to be done when you’re afraid; again, can you really speak of courage if you’re not already speaking of fear?
At the same time – and after mulling it over a bit (okay, more than a bit) – I do see a connection between fear and a lack of faith. Let me get at it this way. Think of faith primarily as trust – not simply as belief (cognitive assent), but as the kind of trust that motivates you to action. For example, you only let people you trust watch your kids when they’re little. And if you lose trust in your employer, you find it hard to give all you’ve got to work. Does that make sense? Faith is trust.
Well, when I’m afraid, I have a really, really hard time trusting. Fear paralyzes, making trusting – and the confident action that trust makes possible – very difficult, if not impossible. So maybe it’s not that the disciples are understandably afraid because of the storm, it’s that they allowed their fear to overtake them so that they don’t come to Jesus and say, “Teacher, we need your help,” but rather came already assuming the worst, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re dying.” This isn’t a trusting or faithful request; it’s a fear-induced accusation.
Keep in mind, of course, that whatever the quality of their interaction with Jesus, he still calms the sea. He does care for them. He does look out for them. You don’t have to have perfect faith for God to respond; indeed, you can even be paralyzed by fear, assume the worst about God, and still receive God’s mercy and grace…and then, perhaps, an invitation to greater faith!
Interestingly, their fear doesn’t totally evaporate with the stilling of the sea, but it is transformed from the paralyzing anxiety that assumes the worst to a kind of holy awe at the presence and power of the One in their midst. They thought they knew Jesus, and now they have to wonder if they really did. I think that’s the invitation for us as well: to bring our fears, anxieties, and concerns to God as best we can and watch as they are transformed and we are amazed once again at this God who never, ever ceases to surprise us.
I’m still struggling a bit with this passage – particularly the part about faith and fear – and I’ve still got a number of questions. But I think that’s all right. In fact, after reading this passage, I think I’m in pretty good company.
Prayer: Dear God, encourage us always to bring our faith and fear, our hopes and dreams, our questions and concerns to you, trusting that you will always respond in mercy, grace, and love, even when you challenge us! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Post image: “Jesus Stills the Storm,” Gospel Book of Echternach, 11th century miniature
I wonder what Jesus’s response would have been if the disciples would have just awakened Jesus and said “Jesus, just wanted you to be aware of the storm.” Or a comment that in some way does not show fear but trust.