There are many stories of the Bible I think we cut short, meaning we easily get lost in the moment, but maybe miss the entire lesson? Allow me to explain.
In Mark 4 we read, “As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’ So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind. But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?’ When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then He asked them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ The disciples were absolutely terrified. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked each other. ‘Even the wind and waves obey Him’” (Mark 4:35-41).
Now, this is a great story with a great lesson. Bad storm. Jesus is asleep. They wake Him up. He yawns and wonders, “What’s the deal?”
And we’ve all been there, caught in the storms of life and wondering if Jesus noticed, and maybe if He even cares?
But I think we cut it short. For the story isn’t over. Let’s go to next verse. “And they came to THE OTHER SIDE” (Mark 5:1). That’s the reason they got into the boat in the first place, to get to the other side (Mark 4:35).
See, I think this a key truth we cannot miss. Storms are a part of life, and Jesus is there to help, but getting us to the other side is the greater truth. And the same is true with every one of us.
God’s great work in Christ was to get us to the other side - that being Heaven. Sure, we will face stuff this side of Heaven, and He is there for us, but that is all in light of getting us to the OTHER SIDE (2 Peter 3:9).
