Jesus Asleep in the Ship - Mark 4:38

Mark wrote, “the same day, when the even was come, he said unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full”, and in chapter four and verse thirty-eight of his book, Mark shares how Jesus, “was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow” where we read:

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow:

and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, care you not that we perish?

The verse reads, “And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow:” Mark began with the words, “and he was in the hinder part” or “and Jesus was in the stern or back” “of the ship” which means “of the sailing vessel or boat”, “asleep” or “fallen asleep or lain down to sleep” “on a pillow” which means “on a cushion for the head”. Mark shared how Jesus was in the back of the boat “asleep” with His head resting upon a “cushion”.

The verse goes on to say, “and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, care you not that we perish?” Mark continued with the words, “and they awake him” which means “and the disciples woke Jesus up, aroused Him and stirred Him”, “and say unto him” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to Jesus”, “Master” which means “teacher and one who teaches concerning the things of God and the duties of man”, “care you not that we perish” or “do you not have concern that His disciples are being rendered useless, abolished, put to an end and ruined”? Mark shared how the disciples woke Jesus up and questioned whether He cared that they were being “ruined”.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we can imagine the fear that was within these disciples. Though a storm surrounded the boat, Jesus was “asleep” during it's rage. This demonstrates how Jesus is in control even when those around Him do not think He is. Many people believe Jesus is “asleep” while they are in “trouble” or even worse, that He doesn't care at all. Neither is true. God loves people, and His desire is for them to be in a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Those who yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will find His watching over them even when all things indicate otherwise.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus, “arose, and rebuked the wind”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".