When we are called into the storm

This is the first of a four part series based on Mark 4:35-41. 

This week's piece is on Mark 4:35-37:

On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.” So after leaving the crowd, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat, and other boats were with him. Now a great windstorm developed and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped.

 This story may seem more vivid to me right now than it might at first for you. We are in the middle of high speed winds here as I write this. There are loud gusts coming from outside, and scary sounds from awnings in the neighborhood that were not properly secured before the storm came. But at least the weather app warned me this was coming!

For some background to this week's verses, keep in mind they take place after a long day of ministry. Jesus and his disciples had to deal with huge crowds that day, and were forced to speak from a boat offshore to avoid being crushed by them. 

At the end of a day like that, the disciples were probably really tired. They would likely have been more than glad to just find a nearby place to sleep. But Jesus wants them to go all the way across the lake! So they take tired Jesus, get into their boats, and start the long journey.

As if that's not bad enough, though, once they get underway, a huge storm develops. It's a massive storm that threatens to sink their boats. It's not just the coldness of it, or the inconvenience of everything getting wet. It's not just the danger of losing everything they have. Their lives are now in danger!

And this isn't just an emotional reaction to hardship on the part of the disciples. As fishermen, and as people who live in coastal fishing towns, these guys are subject matter experts in things that can go wrong with boats.

Have you ever been on what you thought was the right path, only for things to take an ugly turn towards disaster? If so, you know how the disciples must have felt as that situation was starting to develop. They are 100% sure Jesus told them to cross the lake. It wasn't what they chose, but they did it because he asked them to. There were much easier and more comfortable alternatives.

But then it started getting cold. And a little cloudier than it should be. "But Jesus said to cross the lake, right? We're believing for sunny weather to hold, brothers. Amen."

But then it started sprinkling a little bit. "But Jesus said to cross the lake, right? It's probably just a test of faith. It'll clear up soon, if we just believe."

But then it started getting windy and raining a bit harder. "But Jesus said to cross the lake, right? It's probably just to see if we're serious enough to endure hardship for him. We'll bundle up tight and be brave and it'll soon be behind us."

But now the wind is out of control, and the waves are getting bigger and more violent, and the boat is starting to get waterlogged. It's seriously looking like they're not going to make it!

So, for this week, think about what it would be like to be in that boat. Or maybe you feel like you're in that boat right now. Maybe you've gotten a cancer diagnosis, or lost a loved one, or got fired from the job you thought would make your career. Things seem to be going from bad to worse, and even though you were sure you were on the right path, now it's clear that you're sinking. What could God have been thinking?

We have to put ourselves in the place of the disciples and ask, "Did Jesus not consider the possibility of a storm when he led us on this path? Did we finally stump our savior? Could this really be the end of all blessings and maybe even of life itself?" The answer to all three questions, obviously, is "no." But sometime we have to experience the storm to find out.

If you're having a rough time, or are in the future someplace remembering this Bible study, keep in mind that Jesus led the disciples on this path. He asked them to cross the lake. It wasn't some accident he was caught unawares and unprepared for. He is the one who signed them up for that whitewater ride.

So the question for you this week is, are you still willing to follow Jesus, even if it could mean being in such a scary situation? Or would you rather say goodbye to him, part ways, and stay on dry land? It's a serious question. Who we are in Christ is most clear when we are in the worst of conditions.

Next week we will talk about what happens when things get even worse.