But in his account of the event Mark tells us something Matthew and Luke do not. Now that doesn’t mean at all that there’s a contradiction between, or an error in the Scriptures. But in his account Mark simply says, “There were with him other little ships” (Mark 4:36). Up to this point, and as far as most of us are concerned –and even Matthew and Luke for that matter, we’re all focused on that one ship in which were Jesus and His disciples. But Mark comes along and says there were other little ships out there, too. Of course there would be.

1 – You are not the only ship on the stormy sea

There are many stormy seas in life. There were other little ships that experienced the storm. No mention is made by those on Jesus’ ship of the other ships. Their eyes were on themselves. They were forgotten but they were in the same storm and on the same sea.

You are not the first to go through a storm. There are always others. They are “Me, Me” birds with “I” problems. They were so seasick with their own problems to see other little ships. There is always someone worse off. If you come from the bows of the ship you will see others going through problems.

We often get so preoccupied with what’s going on in our little boat that we hardly recognise that there are other boats in the sea of life, until someone like Mark comes along to remind us. We think it’s really nobody’s business what we do over here in our little boat! But there really are other little ships or boats out there in the sea, and what we do over here in our little ship, does have an effect on the lives of the people in all those other boats, too, either for good or for bad.

2 – The storms are there to help you grow and help others

Being a Christian does not immunise you from storms on the sea. Many people who are disabled are happier than those who are not. There are people in a wheelchair who can praise God. They have managed to get to the deck of the ship and can see there are other little ships. It is as natural for man to have trouble as you have sparks from a fire. You grow the most when the times are the hardest. Remember, others are going through it. There is a bond with another suffering soul. Don’t give up. There is hope. Jesus can calm the storm. There is always a reason for the storm.

3 – You do not always know why the storm stops

The other ships did not know why the storm was stopped. I wonder what the men in those other little ships must have been thinking. Here they are in their boats being tossed to and fro with the winds and the waves. Their boats were filling with water. They were in grave danger of losing their boats, and perhaps drowning! Then suddenly and for no apparent reason at all, the winds hushed and the waves lay quietly in the sea. They, too, were saved –by the Master of the sea!

4 – Your anchor will hold in the storm

When a ship was in great trouble near the shore it was possible to get a little ship to get a line to the distressed ship and for it to drop anchor and winch in the ship to safety. Jesus is the anchor in the harbour and is pulling us safely in. Jesus was the Lord High Admiral of the sea that night, and His presence preserved the whole convoy. It is well to sail with Jesus, even though it is in a little ship.

When all man’s striving was useless, the slumbering Saviour arose, and with a word, transformed the riot of the tempest into the deep quiet of calm; then was the little vessels at rest as well as that which carried the Lord. Jesus is the star of the sea; and though there be sorrow upon the sea, when Jesus is on it there is joy too. May our hearts make Jesus their anchor, their rudder, their lighthouse, their life-boat, and their harbour. His Church is the Admiral’s flagship, let us attend her movements, and cheer her officers with our presence. He Himself is the great attraction; let us follow ever in His wake, mark His signals, steer by His chart, and never fear while He is within hail. Not one ship in the convoy shall suffer wreck; the great Commodore will steer every boat in safety to the desired haven. By faith we will slip our cable for another day’s cruise, and sail forth with Jesus into a sea of tribulation. Winds and waves will not spare us, but they all obey Him; and, therefore, whatever squalls may occur without, faith shall feel a blessed calm within. He is ever in the centre of the weather-beaten company: let us rejoice in Him. His vessel has reached the haven, and so shall ours.

Categories: Mark