Jesus: Asleep in the Storm -- Mark 4:35-41

(from Allen Webster's lesson in the 2001 Lambert VBS teen workbook)


How did Jesus manage to sleep in the midst of a raging storm? There are three Bible passages that speak of "sweet sleep." Perhaps all three apply to the situation under consideration.

  1. He was PHYSICALLY SPENT -- Ecclesiastes 5:12
    1. Jesus had been busy in His labors for the Father:
      1. Mark 3:1-7 -- contentions over healing on the Sabbath
      2. Mark 3:7-12 -- teaching and healing the multitudes
      3. Mark 3:13-19 -- appointing the twelve (in the mountain)
      4. Mark 3:20-35 -- teaching multitudes, contending w/ the scribes
      5. Mark 4:1-9 -- teaching by the sea
      6. Mark 4:10-34 -- rebuke & explanation of the parable
    2. Preaching is hard work!
    3. All Christians are commanded to redeem the time -- Eph 5:16
    4. John 9:4
    5. The apostle Paul was a tireless laborer:
      1. Acts 20:18-20, 31
      2. 1 Thessalonians 2:9


  2. He was MENTALLY SERENE -- Jeremiah 31:25-26
    1. Insomnia is often brought about by mental distress - not matter how exhausted the body is, the mind must allow it to rest.
    2. Mental distress (stress or worry) is the cause of an estimated 70% of all disorders, including: heart trouble, high BP, stomach/intestinal disorders (ulcers, etc), hormonal & respiratory ailments, and sexual dysfunction.
    3. Psalm 40:12-13
    4. Mental distress is often brought on by a guilty conscience. There are three ways to avoid having a guilty conscience:
      1. Ignore your conscience and become hardened:
        1. Isaiah 6:9-10; Acts 28:26-27
        2. 1 Timothy 1:19-20
        3. 1 Timothy 4:1-2
        4. Ephesians 4:17-19
      2. Avoid actions/activities that incite a guilty conscience:
        1. 1 Corinthians 6:18 "flee fornication"
        2. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil"
      3. Receive forgiveness after you erred from God's Word:
        1. this comes through acknowledgment of sin and repentance
        2. the burden of sin is heavy:
          1. Psalms 38:4
          2. Psalm 51:3
        3. most of the world needs to obey the gospel -- Mark 16:15-16
        4. many Christians need to be restored -- Psalm 51:7-12


  3. He was SPIRITUALLY SECURE -- Proverbs 3:21-24
    1. Psalm 20:7 (cf. Asa -- 1 Kings 15; 2 Chr 16)
    2. God's protection is like:
      1. A hedge of thorns -- Job 1:10; Isaiah 5:5
      2. A shield -- Genesis 15:1; Psalm 5:12 (cf Eph 6:16)
      3. A wall of fire -- Zechariah 2:5
      4. A crocodile's hide -- "buckler" 2 Samuel 22:31
    3. John 10:28-29 (cf v 27)
    4. Romans 8:35-39
  4. Jesus Can Calm the Storms in our Lives
    1. Jesus CARES -- 1 Peter 5:7
      1. The disciples' request -- "Carest thou not that we perish?
      2. Jesus' response -- "'Peace, be still'. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
      3. Jesus' rebuke -- "Why is it that ye are so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?"
    2. Storms are not to be feared if Jesus is in our boat (we are in His): 2 Timothy 1:7
      1. Psalm 46:1-5 God is our refuge & our strength, we will not fear
      2. Matthew 6:8 The Father knows what we need before we ask
      3. Matthew 6:33 God will provide the necessities of life
    3. Jesus is always near:
      1. Matthew 28:20
      2. Hebrews 13:5-6
      3. Philippians 4:5-7
    4. Jesus understands our storms-- Hebrews 4:14-16
    5. Jesus is able to deliver us from the storms-- Hebrews 7:25
    6. Jesus invites us to partake of His peace and deliverance:
      1. Matthew 11:28-30
      2. John 14:27
    7. A day is coming when all storms shall cease-- 2 Peter 3:10-13