Leadership and Faith

Have you ever been so tired that you slept right through a storm? That’s where we find Jesus today. As the movement continues to grow, Jesus finds it increasingly difficult to rest or even grab a bite to eat. In Mark 3:20, Peter notes,

“Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.”

Luke records, likely from Mary’s memories,

“Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd” (Luke 8:19).

Can you imagine how exhausting it must have been to constantly return to a packed house and ever-growing crowds? Where could Jesus go to find a moment of peace? Let’s find out.

Questions from your reading

• What are the key details of this story? Look carefully at all three accounts.
• What did “the other side” mean to the disciples (Mark 4:35)? Who was over there?
• What was the real problem in this story? List both the small and large concerns in the disciples’ minds.
• Why do you think God allowed this storm? What lessons did the disciples need to learn through it?
• What other questions still come to mind?

Reflecting on your reading

Jesus must have been utterly exhausted to sleep through a storm that terrified seasoned fishermen. Can you see his humanity here? Yes—he got tired, hungry, and thirsty, just like us. He experienced things physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Jesus was fully human. God truly became one of his own creations—like us in every way, yet without sin (Hebrews 2:17). The God-man needed rest, a break from ministry. Take note—the bigger the ministry, the more intentionally we need to make space to rest. Ministry can be all-consuming and deeply demanding. Like Jesus, we need to step back and be refreshed.

As the movement grows, Jesus begins to use the Sea of Galilee as a place of retreat with his closest followers. Much of the coming year of ministry will take place on and around this body of water. He often gets into the boat not just to cross the lake, but to step away from the crowds. This wasn’t because he didn’t love the people—he simply needed space to be with his leaders and make a point. That’s what we see happening in today’s reading.

Mark records that Jesus left the crowds and that multiple boats set out together. Jesus heads to the stern, lies down on a cushion, and quickly falls asleep. As they sail across, a strong wind rises—sent by the Father—and the waves begin flooding the boat. The disciples panic.

Can you imagine the conversation?

“You wake him!”
“Not me—why don’t you wake him?”
“I’m not going to wake him up now!”

Eventually, the fear overwhelms them and they cry out, “Lord, save us!” (Matthew 8:25). These are words Jesus loves to hear. All it takes is a simple, honest cry: “I can’t do this! Save me!”—and he responds. Zephaniah 3:17 offers this picture:

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

After calming the storm, Jesus turns to them and asks, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25). He wasn’t expecting them to stop the storm—just to know him well enough by now to trust that he was never too tired, too distant, or too indifferent to act. He came to earth for moments like this. He came to save.

Applying what you’ve read

Got any storms in your life? Maybe it’s a relationship, your workplace, or something else. Stop fighting the storm or trying to fix it all yourself. Instead, fall to your knees and call on the one who still calms the waves.

Talk with one of your disciples today about what it means to live by faith—depending on and obeying the Father. Practice saying, “God, save the day!” in the middle of your own storms.