April 8: Jesus Stills the Storm
♫ Music:
Tuesday, April 8—Day 35
On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself 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 got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?
Mark 4: 35-41
Jesus Stills the Storm
Anxiety, stress, tragedy, the feeling that we are perishing — these very real reactions within our hearts, minds, bodies and souls are met in the disciples’ cry “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Like the disciples, fears and anxieties rise within us like the overwhelming waves of the tumultuous and temperamental Sea of Galilee. The ease at which fear floods our bodies can feel violent — an attack in itself. Alone, we may fill our buckets and attempt to alter the course of our drowning sinking boat, frantically pouring water over the side as our boat continues to fill. Finally, exasperated, perhaps hurt and confused, we ask, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Swiftly, the trajectory of our situation changes as Jesus commands the seas to be still. “Hush, be still” … the angst-filled waters transform into a vast serene pool.
The peace and authority of Christ as He calms the storm is striking. Stephen Gjertson’s painting “Peace, be still” contrasts the disciples’ panicked fear with the hope we cling to in Jesus’ words: “Peace, be still.”
The unruly seas are calmed with three small words, but it is only by the power and authority of Christ that these words are significant, a power and authority that we as sons and daughters of Christ have within us.
“When these fears arise within us, we may flee to the shallow surface of our lives instead of descending to the center, where we will find security and the comforting arms of God,” writes author Gary Moon.
It is Christ that we cling to in hearing the three words, “Peace, be still.” And it is in Him that we may find freedom. His peace is transcendent, overcoming the fierce gale winds within our souls tempting to tear us apart from the authority of Christ and our true identity in Him.
The startled reaction of the disciples to Jesus’ power is visibly apparent in Gjertson’s piece. The fear of the disciples after Jesus calms the storm reflects their knowledge and recognition of who Jesus was and is today — the Son of God, the Messiah, who reigns and is supreme over all. Their original fear caused by lack of faith is replaced with a reverent fear.
Turmoil within our souls offers a door to further discover of our identity in Christ.
Gjertson’s piece, integrated with the music, draws us in to the peace, awe, and joy of Christ that is offered to us everyday. Gazing inward, descending to our center, we are able to discover Christ and experience the fullness of His love. It is in this inner confidence and faith that we may live a fearless life trusting Christ’s authority and power. He is always in the stern: unafraid, and keenly aware. His restorative power surpasses our sin, anxiety and situations to redeem His people — you and me. Here, we may find true rest in Christ.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27-28
May we live in fearful reverence and deep knowledge of Christ’s authority and power to restore our souls and live in peaceful and passionate union with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Prayer
By me, O my Savior, stand
In sore temptation’s hour;
Save me with thine outstretched hand,
And show forth all thy power;
Oh, be mindful of thy word,
Thy all-sufficient grace bestow;
Keep me, keep me, gracious Lord,
And never let me go.
Give me, Lord, a holy fear,
And fix it in my heart,
That I may from evil near
With timely care depart.
Sin be more than hell abhorred
Till thou destroy the tyrant foe.
(Charles Wesley)
Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Specialist, UCM
Peace Be Still
Stephen Gjertson
United Church of Christ, Sandstone, Minnesota
Oil on Canvas
About the Artist and Art
Stephen Gjertson is one of a growing group of contemporary representational artists who call themselves "classical realists" –classical because they have a passion for order, beauty and the great art of the past; realists because they love the visible world and work primarily from life. Gjertson was president of The American Society of Classical Realism, was a founding member of its Guild of Artists and was editorial advisor of the Classical Realism Journal. Trained by Richard Lack at Atelier Lack during the early 1970s, Gjertson has spent the ensuing years creating works that reflect his love of nature, family and his Christian faith. His style is natural and personal, revealing his respect for, and knowledge of, the artistic traditions of both academic and impressionist art. Gjertson painted Peace Be Still a total of five times between 1976 and 2002, a study in how painting can be used as meditation and devotion.
http://www.stephengjertsonstudios.com/
About the Music
Master, the Tempest Is Raging
lyrics
Master the tempest is raging
The billows are tossing high
The sky is overshadowed with blackness
No shelter or help is nigh
Carest thou not that we perish?
How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threatening
A grave in the angry deep?
The winds and the waves shall obey thy will
Peace, be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea
Or demons or men, or whatever it be
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The master of ocean, and earth, and skies
They all shall sweetly obey thy will
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will
Peace, Peace, be still!
About the Performer
Jessy Dixon (1938-2011) was an American gospel music singer, songwriter, and pianist, with success among audiences across racial lines. He garnered seven Grammy award nominations during his career. He worked with many musicians, including Paul Simon, Andrae Crouch, DeGarmo & Key and most recently Bill Gaither in his Homecoming series of concerts. He wrote songs for Amy Grant, Natalie Cole, Cher, and Diana Ross. Dixon was also an ordained minister with Calvary Ministries International of Fort Wayne, Indiana.