On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, "Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?" (Mk 4:35-41)
Jesus not only explained in private the parables to disciples but he also gave to them only some experiences of the divine power. He gave to each according to their perception or need. He took only Peter, James and John and gave them special experiences like transfiguration, suffering at the Gethsamene etc. There were other experiences which were given to all the disciples and there were still other experiences which were meant for all the people. The choice is totally Jesus’.
In this miracle story Jesus is sleeping while the boat is being rocked by wind and the sea. Could he be sleeping? The author wants to communicate that he was not disturbed by the power of wind and the sea. The power of nature was not a threat to him. The divine power which was in control of everything was more powerful than the other. He believed in the divine power.
He challenged the disciples and questioned about their disbelief and terror that had seized them. They were not only in control of the power of nature but they were also men of little faith and hence their belief in the divine power was weak. A single man’s belief in the divine power can save the others as well.
