“Peace, be still.”
Continuing my 2026 website blog theme, the word still finds a prominent place in this essay. And since it’s July—a month that typically has no shortage of storms—I thought it’s the perfect time to focus on the familiar Bible story where Jesus calmed the storm.
Long before I had any notion of how or why juxtaposition was used as a literary device, I was aware of its prominence in this beloved story. For here, in only a handful of verses, the numerous contrasting characters, images, and themes are obvious—even to a child. The disciples vs. Jesus. Mortal man vs. deity. Awake vs. asleep. Uproar vs. calm. Storm vs. still. Fear vs. trust. Doubt vs. faith.
I loved this story as a kid. Still do.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he (Jesus) was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?”
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark4: 37-41 KJV
What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
As a youngster, I was fascinated by Jesus’s ability to control the weather. I suppose this was my first introduction to the Biblical truth that the earthly Jesus was omnipotent, and I accepted this fact with childlike faith.
As an adult, my focus tends to be on the disciples’ pondering of who Jesus was. According to scripture, the disciples voiced this question collectively. But the answer to this query had to be an individual one for each man in the boat. The same is true for me. I must decide who Jesus was—and who he is. Regarding this issue of Jesus’s identity, I cannot sit on the proverbial sideline for to do so is ultimately to deny Him.
So, what is my response to the disciples’ question?
Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. He is Immanuel—God with us, born of a virgin in Bethlehem. Fulfilling scripture, he is the Lamb of God, sent to earth to take away the sins of the world. Alive today and seated at the right hand of the Father, Jesus is my Risen Lord and Savior.
A shelter in the time of storms—both the literal and the figurative ones—that’s my Jesus.
And I am grateful.