The fourth chapter of Mark’s Gospel begins with Jesus teaching, not behind a pulpit, but seated in a boat just offshore at the Sea of Galilee. The chapter ends with Christ’s disciples in that same boat looking on with utter astonishment. The chapter records that that particular day featured two key events. First, Christ showed Himself to be the Master Teacher as He taught parables about the kingdom of God. Then, He showed Himself to be Master of the Universe as the elements of nature–wind and waves–instantly obeyed His command.

The teaching of our Lord either thrilled, enraged, comforted, or disturbed His hearers. The miraculous deeds of Jesus left His disciples wondering “what manner of man is this?” (4:41) The faith of a believer should be strengthened by having encountered a Savior who can command a raging storm to cease. The will of an unbeliever should be shaken by having encountered that same Jesus in the words of Mark 4.

Let the wonder of Christ’s acts here sweep over you as the waves swept over the boat that held the divine Passenger. Jesus was awakened by His disciples who feared not only that they would drown but that Christ would too. He spoke first, not to the disciples, but to the wind and sea, commanding them to be at peace, to “be still.” (4:39)

When the wind and waves immediately followed Christ’s command, the disciples “feared exceedingly” (4:41) because that is the kind of power that only the Master of the Universe has. Literally being in the same boat with Jesus scared the disciples out of their wits when they saw His supernatural acts. That kind of jaw-dropping fear is good for the believer, drawing and driving him closer to the amazing Christ. It’s good for the unbeliever because it’s just what’s needed to move him from unbelief to belief.

What manner of man is this? He’s the Master of the Universe, and you can trust him in your storms.