Divine Authority
Creation Obeys The Creator
A Reflection of Mark 4:35-41
Creation Obeys The Creator
A Reflection of Mark 4:35-41
The question that erupts from the disciples' trembling lips – "Who is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?" – stands as one of the most profound revelations of Jesus's divine nature in the Gospels. In Mark 4:35-41, we witness not merely a miracle, but a stunning declaration of Christ's deity through His absolute command over creation itself.
Consider the raw power on display in this moment. The Sea of Galilee, known for its sudden, violent storms, is in full fury. Waves crash over the boat, threatening to swallow these seasoned fishermen who know these waters intimately. Yet with three simple words – "Peace, be still" – Jesus does what only God can do. He doesn't merely calm the storm; He demonstrates His authority as the One who spoke the seas into existence in Genesis.
This is the same divine power of God that "separated the waters" in creation, that parted the Red Sea, that held back the Jordan River. In Jewish understanding, only Yahweh Himself had authority over the seas. The Psalms declare, "The sea is His, for He made it" (Psalm 95:5), and "He hushed the storm to a gentle whisper" (Psalm 107:29). Now, here is Jesus, exercising this same sovereign power with just a word.
The immediacy and completeness of creation's response is staggering. There's no gradual dying down of the wind, no slow settling of the waves. The text tells us there was "a great calm" – an immediate, complete submission of nature to its Creator's command. Every drop of water, every gust of wind recognizes the voice that called them into being. This isn't just control over nature; this is nature responding to the presence of God.
The disciples' question – "Who is this?" – resonates with cosmic significance. They're beginning to glimpse something that would have shaken their monotheistic Jewish worldview to its core: the man in their boat, whom they've known as Teacher, is none other than God incarnate. The One who slept in human exhaustion moments before now stands revealed as the Lord of all creation.
This revelation of Jesus's divine power doesn't just stay in that boat. It echoes through history to us today, demanding a response. When we read "even the wind and sea obey him," we're confronted with the full weight of who Jesus is. He's not just a great teacher or prophet – He is God Himself, wielding the very power that fashioned the universe.
The implications are staggering. If the winds and waves instantly obey His voice, what power can stand against Him? If He commands the forces of nature with such authority, how much more can He handle the storms that rage in our lives? This is a Jesus who doesn't just sympathize with our troubles – He has absolute power over them.
This account forces us to move beyond comfortable, domesticated views of Jesus. Here we see Him as Lord of Creation, demonstrating power that belongs to God alone. The disciples' awe-struck question – "Who is this?" – invites us to acknowledge and worship Jesus not just as a teacher or friend, but as the sovereign God who commands creation itself.
In the end, this scripture isn't just about the miraculous calming of a storm. It's a revelation of Christ's divine nature that demands our response. When we truly grasp that the One in our "boat" is the same One who speaks and creation obeys, it transforms how we face every storm in life. We're not just with a wise teacher or powerful prophet – we're in the presence of God Himself, the One to whom even the wind and waves bow in perfect obedience.
Consider the raw power on display in this moment. The Sea of Galilee, known for its sudden, violent storms, is in full fury. Waves crash over the boat, threatening to swallow these seasoned fishermen who know these waters intimately. Yet with three simple words – "Peace, be still" – Jesus does what only God can do. He doesn't merely calm the storm; He demonstrates His authority as the One who spoke the seas into existence in Genesis.
This is the same divine power of God that "separated the waters" in creation, that parted the Red Sea, that held back the Jordan River. In Jewish understanding, only Yahweh Himself had authority over the seas. The Psalms declare, "The sea is His, for He made it" (Psalm 95:5), and "He hushed the storm to a gentle whisper" (Psalm 107:29). Now, here is Jesus, exercising this same sovereign power with just a word.
The immediacy and completeness of creation's response is staggering. There's no gradual dying down of the wind, no slow settling of the waves. The text tells us there was "a great calm" – an immediate, complete submission of nature to its Creator's command. Every drop of water, every gust of wind recognizes the voice that called them into being. This isn't just control over nature; this is nature responding to the presence of God.
The disciples' question – "Who is this?" – resonates with cosmic significance. They're beginning to glimpse something that would have shaken their monotheistic Jewish worldview to its core: the man in their boat, whom they've known as Teacher, is none other than God incarnate. The One who slept in human exhaustion moments before now stands revealed as the Lord of all creation.
This revelation of Jesus's divine power doesn't just stay in that boat. It echoes through history to us today, demanding a response. When we read "even the wind and sea obey him," we're confronted with the full weight of who Jesus is. He's not just a great teacher or prophet – He is God Himself, wielding the very power that fashioned the universe.
The implications are staggering. If the winds and waves instantly obey His voice, what power can stand against Him? If He commands the forces of nature with such authority, how much more can He handle the storms that rage in our lives? This is a Jesus who doesn't just sympathize with our troubles – He has absolute power over them.
This account forces us to move beyond comfortable, domesticated views of Jesus. Here we see Him as Lord of Creation, demonstrating power that belongs to God alone. The disciples' awe-struck question – "Who is this?" – invites us to acknowledge and worship Jesus not just as a teacher or friend, but as the sovereign God who commands creation itself.
In the end, this scripture isn't just about the miraculous calming of a storm. It's a revelation of Christ's divine nature that demands our response. When we truly grasp that the One in our "boat" is the same One who speaks and creation obeys, it transforms how we face every storm in life. We're not just with a wise teacher or powerful prophet – we're in the presence of God Himself, the One to whom even the wind and waves bow in perfect obedience.
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
.jpg)