On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” – Mark 4:35-4:41 (NKJV)

Key points

• Peace is not the absence of trouble.
• Jesus might let the storm rage and calm us instead.
• Listen to the Peace series and others on Real Hope | The Podcast.

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Peace is not the absence of trouble.

Peace is all about Jesus being present in the midst of trouble. Jesus’ presence didn’t mean the disciples were spared the storm. But the fact of Jesus’ presence kept them safe in the storm.

It is wonderfully true that Jesus may have us avoid the storms. But most of us have lived long enough to realise this is not always so. We might envisage peace as blissful serenity; a retreat away from the pressures of life.

Jesus might let the storm rage and calm us instead.

God’s peace, which elsewhere is described as beyond our understanding, is not like this. Jesus might yet calm the storm, but He might just let the storm rage and calm us instead.

Peace is ultimately not about a smooth journey on a calm sea. It is about realising that whatever the journey, Jesus is in the boat with us.

Listen to this episode in the player above.

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Peace is a seven-week series. Peace can be defined as – freedom from disturbance, worry or annoyance; tranquility; calm. We all have seasons of life where achieving this feels impossible, but luckily for us we have Jesus the Prince of Peace walking with us! Read along with this series of devotionals on Peace and learn about how you too can gain a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Subscribe to the YouVersion plan or listen to Real Hope | The Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

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Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro

Episode supplied with thanks to David Reay.

Originally published as ‘Jesus in the Boat’ in Real Hope, May-June 2024.