Jesus Has Authority Over Creation
Humanity has accomplished incredible feats of engineering and technology. In the last one hundred years alone, mankind has progressed farther in technology than all previous generations before us, from the invention of penicillin to the advent of space exploration. All of this shows- Humanity has tremendous power. This is incredible power; however, for all of humanity’s brilliant advancements, the forces of nature still exercise control over man. Man has not managed to control and demonstrate power over the forces of nature.
In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus proves that He, as the rightful Son of God, has absolute power and dominion over creation.
“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” -Mark 4:35-41
After a long day of teaching the crowd along the sea of Gallalie, Jesus desires to cross the sea. Jesus departs the crowd and, along with his disciples, gets in a boat to cross the sea. They are not alone. Jesus and his disciples are being followed by other boats, likely people who were desperate to follow Jesus to the other side of the sea so that they might watch and learn from the messiah. As night falls over the water, Jesus, weary from a long day of travel and teaching, falls asleep. As Jesus is resting, the wind and the waves grow turbulent. Waves were swelling on all sides of the boat, water breaking over the sides and filling the small vessel. Amid this distress, Jesus has complete confidence in his Father and rests peacefully in his hand. While Jesus is sleeping, the disciples fall into a panic; fear and doubt overcome them. In fear of perishing, the disciples wake Jesus from his sleep and say, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus arises and rebukes the wind and the waves. At the sound of his voice, the tall waves bow in submission, and the howling winds fall silent in obedience. At that moment, all of the creation understood it is at the absolute disposal of the King. The creation serves the Creator and no one else.
After rebuking the sea, Jesus rebukes his disciples for their lack of faith. If the disciples only understood the absolute power that Jesus had over creation, they would have been at peace in the midst of the storm. If we as believers understand the power of Jesus over all things, we too can have this peace in the trials of life. After Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples stood in astonishment, perplexed and wondering, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
This story is one of fear and faith. At the beginning of this story, the disciples are full of a human visceral fear; they were afraid of perishing at sea. But at the end of the story, the disciples were full of a different kind of fear, a reverential holy fear of the strength and power of Jesus. Do you share in this Holy fear of the Lord as the disciples did? When you understand the magnificent power and authority of Jesus over all creation as the sovereign creator of the universe, it can only inspire awe and reverence for the King.
For all of mankind’s advancements, Jesus stands alone as having power of the forces of nature. Let us come and worship Him.
