Stormy Seas

 

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41 ESV).

 

During the 1630s, just when Rembrandt came to Amsterdam to begin his career in earnest, he painted what many consider his most dramatic works. The Storm on the Sea of Galilee (pictured here) exemplifies this type of work. Rembrandt chose a story from the Bible perhaps to show the seriousness of his artistic intentions. He came to Amsterdam fully intending to become known as an artist of only history paintings and portraits. However, he created this painting using a maritime theme. He demonstrated that he could combine a history painting with a seascape using a story from the New Testament. The Storm on the Sea of Galilee is Rembrandt's only seascape. In an allegorical sense, the work also illustrates the power of nature and man's helplessness in its force. Numbered among the twelve disciples were fisherman and sailors; however, in this scene they are powerless and exposed to elements. They can only hang on. One holds his hand over the side while others futilely attempt to steady the boat, the man on the left putting one hand to his hat and the other to the rigging is said to have the face of Rembrandt. It has been theorized that Rembrandt's point in this is to put himself in the event through his imagination to inspire faith in the Biblical text, affirming its occurrence.

 

It is a great work of art. Jesus’ disciples were doing all they could to keep their boat from capsizing as they were crossing a lake during a storm. And, at the same time, Jesus was taking a nap! When the disciples woke Jesus, they were alarmed that he did not seem to care about the storm and its danger. But then Jesus simply got up and spoke to the wind and the waves, saying, “Quiet! Be still!” Jesus’ words were not a plaintive request or even a prayer, but a command. And the wind and waves obeyed!

 

The disciples had just a moment of relief before another terrifying thought crept over them: “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” The disciples knew their Scriptures and were very much aware that, in the beginning, it was God who told the waters what their boundaries were. In the time of the great flood, it was God who commanded the waters to cover the earth. It was also God who had made a way for his people through the Red Sea. So, the disciples clearly knew the answer to their question “Who is this?” And they were trying to come to grips with the reality that their friend, who had just been napping in the boat, was also the Lord of all creation! It is that same Jesus who gets us safely through every storm we may face. Those “waters” cannot harm us!