Mark 4:35-41

 

Quick Exit- Some scholars assessing the Greek for "leaving the crowd behind" (v. 36), suggest that Jesus virtually abandons his audience. The phrase "they took him along, just as he was" (v. 36) means that they left suddenly without checking provisions or planning what clothes to bring or any other forethought. The idea is that Jesus was probably pushing toward exhaustion.

Quick Squall - Squalls descended on Lake Galilee unpredictably. Even veteran fishermen couldn’t always see them coming. Many of them learned the general time of day when squalls tended to happen and avoided working at those times. This was part of why Peter and his men often fished at night. This trip occurred after sundown, so their knowledge and expertise led them to think they were safe. [1]

Chaos Theory - In Jewish thought the ocean symbolized chaos, the unpredictable realm from where evil comes. Frail humans could do nothing in the face of chaos. Only one entity could-Yahweh. God’s power to silence chaos was absolute. (Cf. Job 26:12-14, Psalm 65:5-7, Psalm 74:12-14, Nahum 1:34, Psalm 89:8-9, Psalm 93:4, and Psalm 104:5-9.) [2]

 

How does this story function in Mark’s gospel (as opposed say, to Matthew’s gospel)? How has this story helped you? What do you feel / think about when you hear this story read?

Recall a moment when you were in the storm and something/Someone from outside brought calm to the troubled waters.

 

Try simply retelling the story with imagination and "learning points" - describe how squalls can come suddenly, unexpectedly upon those in boats. Note how other boats (faith communities of Mark’s day?) were on the water.

Tell your own story or that of another’s stormy experience in which the God of the Storm intervened and brought safety, peace, and/or presence when you most needed it.

Recall how the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures testify to God’s relationship to the storms.

You could play this story off of Paul’s hardship list-he certainly had his own storms to contend with-yet he knew that God was with him as a partner and that seemed to be what he needed.

Shift to the present-your community of faith facing your own troubled water, but through this story you can face it with renewed courage and faith in the Lord of the Storm.

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[1] Scott Pinson, God’s Word for the Biblically Inept: Mark (Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Starburst Publishers, 2001), page 91.
[2] Ibid., page 92.