Read: Mark 4:35-41
Have you ever asked Jesus a dumb question? I mean, seriously, have you ever asked Jesus who your husband will be, or if you are even going to have a husband? How about how many kids will you have, or will your kid grow up to be a missionary (or not)? Sometimes we become a little anxious and ask Jesus questions that we have no business knowing the answers to.
2 DUMB QUESTIONS
Well, you are not alone because some of the disciples also asked Him obvious questions, ones they should have already known the answers to. In Mark 4:35-41, they asked two things: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” This was followed by “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” In that first question, they were wondering if Jesus had enough compassion not to want them to drown. Are you kidding me? Isn’t He the same person who left the beauty of heaven to come to this dirty, sinful planet to rescue these same disciples from the pit of hell?
In the other statement, they wonder who Jesus is because the wind and the waves obey His Word. Isn’t this the same guy who commanded a dead person (Lazarus) to come out of his tomb? Lazarus strolled out! Is it so hard to believe that the God who spoke things into existence also controls the weather?
DON’T YOU CARE?
On that day, while Jesus was teaching the people some amazing truths, He said, “Let us go over to the other side.” Jesus headed to the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee for a reprieve from all the preaching He had done that day. During the trip across the lake, a fierce, violent storm arose. The boat took a beating. “The boat was being covered with the waves” (Matt. 8:24). “So that they began to be swamped and to be in danger” (Luke 8:23).
At this point, Jesus was asleep and had to be awakened. The disciples were shocked that Jesus was sleeping through all of this. They asked, “Don’t you care?” Their faith had been replaced with fear and doubt. Of course, He could keep them safe. This was the time to trust in His presence to bring them through any storm that may arise, no matter how violent or how turbulent.
WHEN DO WE TRUST?
When do we trust the God of our salvation? Is it only when the boat is moving through calm waters without any rough spots or violent storms? Or is it when we are facing a time that seems like the boat is sinking? I recently faced a time when I thought I was sinking. The storms seemed to overwhelm me. I was scared. I thought that the boat would capsize and I would be finished. It would have been easy to join the disciples in asking, “Don’t you care?” But that would have been foolish because I knew He cared. He would bring me through this. And guess what? He did.
WHO DO WE REALLY THINK HE IS?
The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).So, do we trust him just when the seas are calm? When everything is going smoothly? Or do we trust him when the dark clouds of fear and depression surround us, and life is overwhelming? Maybe those “dumb” questions should disappear from your vocabulary. Who is this? He is God!