“LET US GO ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE!”

Mark 4:35-41                                         (ESV)

“35 On that day, when evening had come, HE (JESUS) said to them, "LET US GO ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE."

36 And leaving the crowd, they took HIM with them in the boat, just as HE was. And other boats were with HIM.

37 AND A GREAT WINDSTORM AROSE, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.

38 But HE was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke HIM and said to HIM, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"

39 And HE awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 HE said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"

41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "WHO then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey HIM?"”

Why do we hear what we want to hear, especially when GOD is speaking to us, and not what HE is saying?  Although the disciples had heard many, many times in various ways that “I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE” (i.e. John 10:30), experiencing it was something that they weren’t accustomed to.  JESUS and the disciples had been ministering to “a very large crowd” most of the day when HE told them, “LET US GO ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE."

HE didn’t tell them the journey to the other side was going to be smooth and easy.  HE didn’t alert them that A GREAT WINDSTORM might arise.  Increasing the FAITH of HIS CHOSEN disciples was far more important than just telling them HE is GOD incarnate.  Maturing their FAITH through life’s difficulties was invaluable to the disciples, even when FEAR reared its ugly head.

When JESUS told them “LET US GO ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE”, it was that was a promise that they were going to make it.  Remembering the Children Of Israel, Moses was told by YAHWEH that the Israelites were going to the Promised Land, but GOD didn’t promise a smooth journey.  Their trek through the wilderness took them 40 years for a two week trip.  But GOD received Glory from their battles!  

And leaving the crowd, they took HIM with them in the boat, JUST AS HE WAS. And other boats were with HIM.  One commentary nails it with this explanation: This is a theme in Scripture that we often miss. God does not promise His ministers an easy life. He promises to equip us for ministry; failures are on our account, not His. He ensures we can bear any circumstances (Philippians 4:13) and reject any sin (1 Corinthians 10:13), and that He provides what we need in the moment, whether food (Matthew 6:11), clothing (Matthew 6:24–25), or words (Mark 13:11). He does not promise us worldly comforts, or even safety. Just what we need to do His will”!!!

Finally, one last “lesson” the disciples “experienced” was that JESUS IS IN CONTROL!  HE controls even the wind and the sea, so nothing is outside of HIS hands.  When a difficulty reveals itself to you and JESUS has already told you “LET US GO ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE”, DO NOT FEAR!  HE might be teaching you the lessons so HE can be Glorified!!!