Jesus
Cares
Gerald Whetstone
www.pausetoponder.org

The storm came out of no
where, totally unexpected and it was furious. The wave beat against the small
craft, breaking over the sides swamping it. The men feverishly worked to bail
out the water to no avail. The were sure they we going down. Right in the middle
of obeying Jesus they find themselves in peril and where is Jesus through all of
this? Totally exhausted He is in the stern sleeping! The men, sure they are
goners, sought Him out, woke Him and shouted, "Teacher, don't you care if
we drown?"! (Mark 4:38d)
This is not the only storm that the Twelve will face. Each storm offered a
lesson or two to be learned. Though a cursory reading of the accounts might lead
someone to think they are all the same event told in different ways, the key is
in the lessons. The most obvious lesson in this storm was Jesus' Lordship over
creation, "Even the winds and the waves obey Him!" Is this the only
lesson in this account?
The disciples' fear blinded them to the miracle that was already happening, a
boat "nearly swamped" had not sunk yet. (Mark 4:37) Even more,
blinded, terrified, and buffeted by the storm they concluded that Jesus didn't
care about them or their desperate situation. If He cared He would help bail out
the boat. If He really cared He would not have allowed this to happen. It was
obvious to these frightened followers, Jesus didn't care.
Jesus' answer to their poignant inquiry was the quieting of the storm and these
words; "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Did Jesus
care? He cared enough to be with them in the storm. He cared enough to keep the
boat from sinking though swamped with water. He cared enough to respond to their
cry for help. He cared enough to compassionately still the storm.
We, like the twelve, often allow life's storms to shake our faith and blind us
to the miracle in progress. In times of furious storms we too find ourselves
allowing the circumstances and situation to determine our understanding of God's
watchful care, erroneously thinking He doesn't care. We need not be afraid and
faith-less. Rather we need to embrace the glorious reality that Jesus does care.
He cares enough to be with us in our storm. He cares enough to support us and
keep our boats afloat. He cares enough to respond to our cries for help. He
cares enough to quiet our storms in perfect timing. And lest we forget these, we
know He cares fro His Word affirms it and the cross sealed it. His hands, His
feet, and His side bear the marks of the depth of His caring for us.
This is not a new message and this is far from being the only time this lesson
is taught. We are a forgetful people, especially when the waves are beating
against us. That is why we need repeat it over and over. Does Jesus care? Oh Yes
He cares! What we need to do is keep our faith and lives grounded in Him for He
will see us through. He is with is. He is still the master of the waves and
winds. He is Lord!
Beloved let us trust Him for in time we too will be standing in terrified awe
saying, "Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!" (Mark 4:41)
Jesus Cares!

