Lessons in the Storm | Mark 6:45-52

As I stood before our congregation on what turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant day in Vancouver, I couldn't help but reflect on the peculiar timing of our message. After weeks of relentless rain that had become almost apologetically characteristic of our city, we found ourselves diving into a biblical account of stormy waters. The irony wasn't lost on me – God's timing rarely is.

A Proper Theology of Storms

In Mark chapter 6, immediately following the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, we encounter the disciples in a familiar yet challenging situation. Jesus had just performed one of His most renowned miracles, feeding thousands with merely five loaves and two fish. Yet instead of basking in this moment of triumph, Jesus does something unexpected – He dismisses the crowds and compels His disciples to get into a boat and cross the Sea of Galilee.

What follows is more than just a story about weather conditions; it's a profound lesson about God's sovereignty in our struggles. The text reveals a startling truth: Jesus didn't merely permit this storm; He orchestrated it. He "made" His disciples get into the boat, knowing full well what awaited them on that journey.

This brings us to a challenging theological truth that many of us struggle to embrace: sometimes, God actively sends us into storms. It's not always our sin or poor choices that lead us into difficult seasons. Sometimes, being in the center of God's will places us right in the middle of turbulent waters.

The disciples' experience perfectly illustrates this reality. They were precisely where Jesus told them to be, doing exactly what He commanded, yet they found themselves fighting against contrary winds, their progress seemingly futile. How many of us can relate to that feeling? We're doing everything right, making all the proper decisions, yet life seems to push against us at every turn.

A Purpose Through Our Storms

But here's where the story takes a beautiful turn. In the fourth watch of the night – between 3 and 6 AM – Jesus comes to them, walking on the water. The timing is significant. He allows them to struggle through the night, coming to them when they're at the end of their strength. Why? Because sometimes God uses storms to bring us to the end of ourselves, to show us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

The text tells us that Jesus "would have passed by them." This curious phrase, far from suggesting indifference, actually echoes Old Testament language used to describe divine revelations. Just as God revealed His glory to Moses and Elijah by "passing by," Jesus uses this storm as a backdrop to reveal His divine nature to His disciples.

Learning Through Repetition

What's particularly striking is verse 52, which tells us that the disciples "had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened." They had missed the lesson of Jesus' deity in the feeding of the 5,000, so He patiently provides another opportunity for them to understand – this time through a storm. Sometimes God sends storms our way because there are lessons we need to learn that we just aren't getting through other means.

The parallel account in Matthew adds another layer to this story – Peter's brief walk on the water. This remarkable moment teaches us that our faith remains strong when our focus stays on Jesus. The moment Peter shifted his attention from Jesus to the wind and waves, he began to sink. It's a powerful reminder that while storms demand our attention, they shouldn't command our focus.

Finding Purpose in the Pain

As we conclude this journey through Mark 6, we must acknowledge that God doesn't always calm our storms immediately. That's not the promise. What He does promise is far more profound – that He is a loving Father who sees us in our storms and uses them for our good and His glory.

Romans 8 reminds us that "all things work together for good to them that love God." This doesn't mean all things are good, but rather that God works them together for our good – specifically, to conform us to the image of His Son. Sometimes the very storms we pray to escape are the tools God uses to shape us into who He wants us to be.

As we face our own storms today, remember these three vital truths:

First, trust Jesus in your storm – He remains sovereign over every circumstance.

Second, learn from Jesus in your storm – He's teaching you valuable lessons through this season.

Finally, look to Jesus in your storm – your faith grows stronger when your focus remains on Him.

Whatever storm you're facing today, know that it hasn't caught God by surprise. He sees you, He's with you, and He's working through this situation to accomplish His perfect purposes in your life. The question isn't whether God is faithful – He proved that definitively by sending His Son. The question is whether we'll trust Him enough to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, even when the waves are high and the wind is contrary.

Trust Him in the storm. He's never failed before, and He won't start now.