At the
age of 27, Rembrandt painted the seascape Christ in the Storm on the Sea of
Galilee based on the story in Mark 4. With its distinctive contrast of light
and shadow, Rembrandt’s painting shows a small boat threatened with destruction
in a furious storm. As the disciples struggle against the wind and waves, Jesus
is undisturbed. The most unusual aspect, however, is the presence in the boat
of a 13th disciple whom art experts say resembles Rembrandt himself.
Mark’s
gospel describes the disciples’ vivid lesson about who Jesus is and what He can
do. While they were frantically trying to save a sinking boat, Jesus was
asleep. Didn’t He care that they were all about to die? (v.38). After Jesus
calmed the storm (v.39), He asked the penetrating question, “Why are you so
fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (v.40). Then they were even more
afraid, exclaiming to each other, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the
sea obey Him!” (v.41).
We could also put ourselves in this story and discover, just as Jesus’ disciples did, that to each person who trusts in Jesus Christ, He reveals His presence, compassion, and control in every storm of life.
