The Other Side

[35] And the same day, when evening had come, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

[36] After leaving the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was, and other little boats followed.

[37] Suddenly, a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, filling it with water.

[38] Meanwhile, Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. The disciples woke Him and cried out, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

[39] He arose, rebuked the wind, and commanded the sea, “Peace, be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

[40] He then asked them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

[41] The disciples were filled with awe and said to one another, “Who can this be that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Mark 4:35-41 (KJV)

After Jesus taught the Parable of the Sower (among other parables) to the multitude, He told his disciples, “let us go to the other side”. The place they were going wasn’t specified but one thing was clear: they were to move to another place immediately.

They all got onto the ship. As they began the voyage to move to the “other side”, there arose a strong storm, powerful waves that were chaotic. The storm was ferocious, threatening to engulf the ship.

Despite the chaos, Jesus lay peacefully asleep on a pillow! It was a great contrast to the fear that gripped the hearts of his disciples. Naturally, they complained. They said, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” their voices trembling with panic.

Then came that moment of divine intervention. Jesus rose up and, with authority, commanded, “Peace, be still!” Instantly, the winds obeyed, and there was calmness on the sea.

Awe washed over the disciples as they realised they were in the presence of someone extraordinary; someone who could command nature itself. “Who can this be that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” they whispered, struck by the greatness of His power.

The real lesson, however, unfolds in the aftermath of this miracle.

The journey to the “other side” was never simply about reaching a destination. The storm that followed, the chaos they experienced, and the disruptions they faced were all trials that tested their faith.

Often, our life experiences mirror this. Whether starting a new business as instructed by God, following God’s call to ministry, or relocating to a new city, we frequently encounter challenges that can feel like storms, causing us to doubt our decisions or question if we are on the right path, especially during distressing times.

What’s crucial to remember is that Jesus, even during the worst of the storm, remained undisturbed. He knew the trials ahead, but He also knew where they were headed.

He knew their destination would reveal His power in ways they could not yet fathom—a man tormented by demons waiting to be freed on the other side, who would then become a powerful evangelist in ten cities.

And he departed and began to publicly proclaim in Decapolis [the region of the ten cities] how much Jesus had done for him, and all the people were astonished and marvelled.

Mark 5:20 (AMPC)

But the truth is this: having God’s promises doesn’t shield us from storms. Life’s difficult moments, disappointments, hardships, and even betrayal, are part of our journey. Yet, we are called to fix our eyes firmly on God’s word and His promises, not the unrelenting waves of our circumstances.

So what does this mean for us today? It’s a powerful reminder that no matter the storms we face, we must keep our focus on the “other side.” The Tempter may attempt to undermine our resolve, lead us to doubt, or distract us from our path, but the promise itself remains intact, anchored in God’s unwavering faithfulness.

So let the waves crash, let the winds howl; as long as Jesus is with us in the boat, we will get to the “other side”.

---

Happy International Men’s Day to all the wonderful men who are a part of our family. We see you, we celebrate you, and we love you. Cheers to your becoming. ❤️🥂