Mark 4:35-41

Why is it that you are so frightened?

This is the question that Jesus asked. In a boat of experienced fishermen well used to coping with the vagaries of weather, their panic might be something that Jesus would take seriously, surely?

Why is it that you are so frightened?

Jesus response on discovering the fear and panic of the fisherman, was to calm the storm: a fine example of his messianic powers! And it is perhaps this aspect that the Mark community has chosen to emphasise in their account: “Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.”

But taking a step or two back. When we think about the storms of our lives, often we will turn in prayer to God, perhaps hoping beyond hope that God will somehow calm the storm. More often though, we will pray for strength, wisdom, discernment to be able to cope with the situation as best we can. In the same way, we might imagine the captain of the boat (Peter?) hoping that a wakeful Jesus might better manage the chaos of a largely untrained shipmanship (“there were other boats with them”) and free Peter up to steer them out of danger.

So two very different responses to the calamity. To sort it, or to facilitate the gifts to sort it ourselves.

Why are you so frightened?

But perhaps there is a third way? The calamity, despite best efforts from everyone aboard, might happen anyway. Maybe it cannot be “sorted”. The boats might be destroyed, friends might be injured, or even drowned. And perhaps Jesus still asks “Why are you so frightened?” Which part of this scenario do you think will be without-God?

Many/most of us have experienced great sadness, great pain. God is with us. Some of us have survived. God is with us. Why are you so frightened?

I witness to those in our current news bulletins who are living through calamity – the people of Gaza, Ukrainian refugees, asylum seekers … uprooted from their homes, grieving for family and friends, each new morning another day of injustice and risk and danger. And am aghast at their resilience. Why are you so frightened?

Questions

Why do we find calamity so terrifying?

When does acceptance of calamity turn into a sort of lethargy or fatalism?

What experiences of pain or sadness have you survived? How have you been changed? Was it worth it? How would you feel if that episode was removed from your life story?

God is with us – does that help?