Mark 4:35 – “And the same day, when the evening was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.”(NKJV)
Following Jesus does not mean avoiding storms; it means learning who He is within them.
One of the most revealing moments in the Gospels begins with a simple invitation: “Let us cross over to the other side.” Jesus speaks these words to His disciples after a long day of teaching. There is no warning of trouble ahead, no hint of danger, only a clear direction and the assurance of His presence.
Yet almost immediately, the calm gives way to chaos.
As the disciples set sail, a fierce storm suddenly erupts. Wind lashes the water. Waves crash into the boat. The vessel begins to fill, and fear takes over. These were not inexperienced sailors (many of them knew the sea well) yet this storm overwhelmed even their confidence.
And where was Jesus?
He was right there with them… asleep.
This moment alone challenges many assumptions we carry about faith. We often believe that if Jesus is truly with us, storms shouldn’t come at all. But the disciples’ experience tells a different story. They weren’t caught in the storm because they made a wrong decision. They were there because they obeyed Jesus. They were exactly where He told them to be.
This is one of the most freeing truths believers can embrace: storms are not always signs of failure or divine disapproval. Sometimes, they are part of the journey of knowing Jesus more deeply.
The disciples eventually wake Him, panicked and afraid. With a word, Jesus silences the wind and stills the sea. The storm obeys Him instantly. Peace returns just as suddenly as the chaos arrived. And in that quiet moment, the disciples ask a question that reveals the true purpose of the storm:
“Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
The storm was never just about survival; it was about revelation.
There are aspects of Jesus’ character that cannot be fully understood in comfort. His authority, faithfulness, and power become clearest when everything else feels unstable. Storms have a way of stripping away surface-level beliefs and revealing what, and who, we truly trust.
It’s easy to assume that walking closely with Jesus guarantees smooth sailing. But Scripture paints a more honest picture. Loving Jesus does not exempt us from hardship. In fact, some of life’s fiercest storms arise when we are walking most closely with Him. The disciples were nearer to Jesus than ever, and still the waves crashed over their boat.
Here’s the promise we can hold onto: Jesus never promised a storm-free journey, but He did promise a safe arrival.
The boat may be shaken, but it will not be sunk. The journey may be terrifying, but the destination is secure. Jesus did not say, “Let us try to cross.” He said, “Let us cross.” His word already carried the outcome.
Every storm presents a choice: fear or faith.
Fear fixes its eyes on the wind, the waves, and the worst-case scenario. Faith fixes its gaze on the Saviour present, powerful, and unshaken. Fear asks, “What if we don’t make it?” Faith declares, “If He said we’re crossing, we will.”
Sometimes Jesus allows storms not to destroy us, but to deepen us. He uses them to draw us back to His promises, to teach us how to remain at peace in His presence, and to show us the greatness of His power. What feels like a threat may actually be an invitation to trust Him at a deeper level than ever before.
If you are in a storm today, take heart. Jesus is not distant. He is not unaware. And He has not changed His word. The storm may be loud, but His authority is greater. The waves may rise, but His presence remains steady. When you reach the other side (and you will), you may find yourself asking the same question the disciples did, only now with awe rather than fear, “Who is this Jesus?” Amen.
And you’ll know Him more intimately than ever before.
SIX KEY TAKEAWAYS
Storms are not always signs of failure, sometimes they come through obedience:
Being with Jesus does not prevent storms; it reveals His presence within them.
Proximity to Jesus does not eliminate hardship, but it guarantees purpose:
The storm may shake your boat, but it cannot cancel His word.
Jesus’ promises are stronger than the fiercest winds you face:
If He said you’re crossing, your destination is secure.
Fear focuses on the storm; faith focuses on the Saviour:
Where you place your attention shapes how you endure the journey.
Storms reveal who Jesus truly is, not just what He can do:
His authority becomes clearest when circumstances feel uncontrollable.
The goal of the storm is not survival alone, but deeper revelation:
Knowing Jesus more intimately is often found on rough waters.
