掌管自然的大能
馬可福音四章33至41節
33耶穌用許多這樣的比喻，照他們所能聽的，對他們講道。
34若不用比喻，就不對他們講，沒有人的時候，就把一切的道講給門徒聽。
35當那天晚上，耶穌對門徒說：“我們渡到那邊去吧。”
36門徒離開眾人，耶穌仍在船上，他們就把他一同帶去，也有別的船和他同行。
37忽然起了暴風，波浪打入船內，甚至船要滿了水。
38耶穌在船尾上，枕著枕頭睡覺。門徒叫醒了他，說：“夫子！我們喪命，你不顧嗎？”
39耶穌醒了，斥責風，向海說：“住了吧！靜了吧！”風就止住，大大地平靜了。
40耶穌對他們說：“為甚麼膽怯，你們還沒有信心嗎？”
41他們就大大的懼怕，彼此說：“這到底是誰，連風和海也聽從他了。”
信息分享
時近傍晚，基督建議過到河的對岸，祂讓門徒划船，自己拿了個枕頭，在船尾讓自己盡可能舒服地小憩。那是一艘能夠容納十三人的大船，還有足夠空間讓基督休息。
豈料突然風浪大作。加利利海常突起風暴，那兒的地勢形成了一條天然風道。不過，可能還有另一個解釋。我們只要繼續看第五章，便會發現基督要渡過海那邊，是為了解救一個被鬼附的無助之人。因此，污鬼的首領撒但當然要極力阻止基督達到祂的目的。基督趕出污鬼之後，又直接渡海回去。
門徒中間有不少是漁夫，他們當然非常熟悉加利利海。其中也有些門徒，如馬太，從事所謂的文職工作；不過，狂風巨浪似乎令他們全都驚恐萬狀，最後不得不大聲呼救，喚醒基督：「老師，你怎麼還睡覺？我們快要翻船了！你還置諸不理！」基督的回應包含了兩個斥責：首先是斥責風浪，風浪止息了；接著便是斥責嚇壞了的門徒，反問他們為何有祂同在還害怕？
無論在人生的任何危機中，我們都要緊記基督必與我們同在。祂的能力勝過任何風暴或我們要面對的試煉。記住：祂必不會帶領我們到一個祂的恩典不能保守我們的地方。讓我們為此而感謝神。
CHRIST’S POWER OVER NATURE
Mark 4:33-41
33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.
34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Message
Towards evening Christ suggested they go across the lake. Leaving the disciples to row, He took a cushion and made Himself as comfortable as possible in the stern of the boat. It was large enough to accommodate thirteen men, plus room for Him to rest.
Then suddenly a severe wind sprang up. The Sea of Galilee is subject to sudden storms because the land formation forms a natural wind funnel. There could also be another explanation. If we read on through chapter five, it would seem that Christ’s purpose of crossing the lake was to help a helpless man tragically in the grip of demons. It could well be that Satan, prince of the demons, was trying to prevent Christ from carrying out His purpose. Following the man’s release, Christ went straight back across the lake.
Many of the disciples were fishermen and were used to the lake, though a few, like Matthew, had what we would call an office job. But it would seem that even they were all terrified by the ferocity of the storm and finally woke Christ with the cry, “Teacher, how can you sleep? We’re all going to drown and you don’t seem to care.” His answer is found in two rebukes - one which stilled the waves and made the wind cease and the other spoken to the frightened men, asking why they were afraid when He was with them.
When faced with any crisis in our lives we need to remember that Christ is always with us. His power is greater than any storm or test which we may encounter. Remember this: His will never lead us where His grace cannot keep us. Thank God again for this today.