Sleep Stories in the Bible: 40 Winks on a Boat! | Mark 4:35-41

Do you ever feel like Jesus is sleeping and he is not hearing your prayer? We understand. Today we are in the midst of a series called Sleep Stories and we are in the book of Mark. Join us!

Show Links:

• Who Is Jesus?
• Have a prayer request? E-mail us at [email protected]

Transcription:

You ever feel like you’re talking to Jesus and maybe he’s sleeping, He’s not hearing your prayer. Welcome to the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, and we are smack dab in the middle of a series called Sleep Stories in the Bible. So, join me, won’t you, in the gospel of Mark chapter four, kind of near the end of your Bible. And we’re gonna begin at verse 35.

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, Let’s cross to the other side of the lake. So, they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind, although other boats followed. But soon a fear storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. That would be terrifying, wouldn’t it? Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. I love that. The son of God, his head on a cushion, sleeping. The disciples, woke him up shouting, Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown? When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, Silence. Be still. Suddenly the wind stopped and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?

I remember reading the Rhyme Bible to my kids when they were tiny, tiny, and I still remember what it said about this story. Be calm, be still a wind and sea, and it was calm immediately. It’s funny what you remember as a mom. Verse 41, The disciples were absolutely terrified. This is our takeaway verse. Who is this man? They ask each other, even the wind and waves obey Him.

I love this story so much because it demonstrates God’s power. He is our helper. He is never sleeping. As a matter of fact, the Bible says in Psalm 1:21, we’re gonna do a little cross reference here today, that God never sleeps and never slumbers. Jesus, of course, was fully man and fully God, and he went through everything that you and I go through. So, of course, he slept on that boat, but I’m telling you, He hasn’t slept since his time on Earth. He is all powerful, always at the ready to help you and I. So, let’s dive into the middle of your Bible.

Psalm 1:21, I look up to the mountains. Does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not let you stumble. The one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumber or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you. Just stop that right there. The Lord himself watches over you. You’re being looked after today. The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The son will not harm you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

I love the pictures that Psalm 1:21 paints, and I love the pictures that the story and the gospel of Mark paints as well. The Lord is watching over you. You know my son is just learning how to get comfortable driving on the highway. And I picture him… the Lord is with him in that car when he’s merging. The Lord is with you in whatever difficult situation you find yourself in today, and he can calm your heart. He may not make the situation go away as the storm disappeared in the boat story, but he will calm your heart. There was an old song by Scott Krippayne, one of my favorite Christian singers, where it goes, Sometimes he calms the storm, and sometimes he calms the child. His peace is always available to you. He is with you as you come and as you go. Oh, what a picture that is. What a savior we have. He is so, so good. All right. Until next time, please know that you are loved.

Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life. Find more podcasts that will recharge you at onpurposely.com.