"Astern in the Boat"

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" (Mark 4:35-41 NIV).

I know there are those of you who are much more knowledgeable about ships than I am. However, when I read the verses from our reading today, something very odd struck me. Jesus’ position in the boat was noted by Mark as being “in the stern.” I’m told that the proper language for this place on the ship is “astern” or “aft.”

Now, here’s the interesting thing about that description. I have seen replicas of these ships in Israel. In fact, I’ve been on the Sea of Galilee sailing in one. The way these ships are built, the weight of the boat is astern (at the back). That's what gives the boat its stability. So, I did a little more research after discovering this simple fact. It seems that boats of all kinds find their stability; their strength in the weight near the rear and bottom of the boat. Then I went back to today's scripture. It seems that Jesus was asleep in the part of the boat which gives it strength. The "stern", or the rear of the boat, is where the weight to anchor the boat down is found. If the "stern" area has enough weight, it will help keep the boat from turning over. Around the area called the "stern" one would most likely find the rudder of the boat which would give it direction. Jesus was in the "stern".

Maybe you didn't need a boat lesson today, but maybe you do need to hear that when the storm came upon the disciples, Jesus was in the place of strength. When life appeared most dangerous for the disciples, Jesus was in position to provide direction. At the weakest point, Jesus was still fully in control. By the way, He's in the stern of your life today; and as an added bonus, now He never sleeps!

Isn’t that good news? Don’t react to Jesus’ work in your life with amazement. He’s just doing what He promised to do. He said He would always be with us, to the very end! I like that, especially when the weather is really stormy in my life! Trust Him! He won’t let you down. He’s astern in your life!