Four Things to Know About This Week's Lectionary Text from the Fifth Gospel

This week's text for preaching from the Common Lectionary is Mark 4:35-41.  Here are four lessons from the land (the Fifth Gospel) as to Jesus' calming of the Sea of Galilee and the fears of His disciples:

• "The other side" was the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, or the "Gentile side."  This journey to the other side would have struck fear in the hearts of Jesus' Jewish disciples.  What could He possibly be up to?
• Storms are common today as then on the Sea of Galilee especially during the months of January and February.  These fierce storms were known as "sharkeye" and challenged the skills of the most experienced of fishermen.
• Jesus was exhausted like any person would be from the hurried days of teaching and healing.  Sleep came naturally for our Lord.
• Jesus "rebuked" the storm at sea, revealing God's power over nature.  He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith, and later in Mark 5, Jesus rebuked the demons in Legion.

Rembrandt's Calming of the Sea