Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? (Mark 4:38)

“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 

This question from the disciples to Jesus, which I’ve labeled as a critical question in the Bible, is found in Mark 4:38. The disciples and Jesus are crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat, and a fierce storm comes up. Jesus is asleep in the boat, and the disciples are losing their minds. “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

You might remember a somewhat similar setting with Jonah in a boat with pagan sailors, also in a storm, also with Jonah asleep in the boat. Jonah is awakened to pray to his god, who he identifies as “the God of heaven, who created the sea and the dry land.” They were all the more frightened, since this is the God who made this mess that we are in. Their thought was, what must we do to appease him? 

But there is really no way for a man to appease a god. There is certainly no way for a creature to appease the Creator. What do we have that we could offer Him? It is we who seek gifts from Him, and if they are gifts, then they cannot be bought. So the poor sailors in the Jonah story have it all wrong, as do the sailors/disciples in the  Jesus story.

What’s wrong with their question: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Let me ask you a question: Why was Jesus even in that boat? Why was the eternal Son of God even on this earth? Was it not because He cared? Was it not because He loved us so much and was so committed to the mission of providing redemption, that He was willing to leave the glories of heaven and sacrifice Himself for people such as these disciples? 

Their question is rather preposterous. It is insolent. It is self-centered and completely lacking in understanding of the character of God and of His Son, Jesus. And yet, we understand, don’t we, because we have done the very same thing, questioning whether Jesus cares when we are in the midst of a storm; in one of those pressure points of life, when we don’t know which way is forward, and we feel as though we are sinking.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long?

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.