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Learning from the Storm: How Jonah 1 and Mark 4 Point to Jesus’s Divine Authority

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Table Of Contents
  1. Learning from the Storm: How Jonah 1 and Mark 4 Point to Jesus’s Divine Authority
  2. Jesus Calms the Storm – Mark 4
  3. Storm in Jonah – Jonah 1
  4. Similarities and Differences
  5. The Authority of Jesus
  6. Conclusion
  7. What Now?

Snapshot

Jonah 1 and Mark 4:35-41 have many similarities. The two stories are different in how the storm is stopped. God is the one who has the power to control the wind and waves. Jesus is God and this story supports that claim.

Jesus Calms the Storm – Mark 4

The gospels have many connections to other parts of Scripture; this is especially true in Mark chapter four. In Mark 4:35-41, is a detailed story about Jesus calming a storm. I would recommend reading it before continuing. If you notice the story, a storm picks up and the crew (disciples) wakes Jesus up as they believe they are going to drown from the great storm. Jesus wakes up and rebukes the wind and waves and the storm then becomes calm. Jesus then turns to the disciples and asks them where their faith is. The disciples are terrified as even the waves and wind obey Jesus. Taken alone, this story is a delightful story where we read about the authority of Jesus. 

A captivating view of the ocean with dramatic dark clouds above, presenting a moody and dramatic seascape.

Storm in Jonah – Jonah 1

Yet a connection that many people miss is how the story connects to Jonah chapter 1. Jonah tries to run from God, but a great storm hits to prevent him from running away from the mission of God. Jonah is asleep on the boat when a storm hits and the sailors fear for their lives. The sailors cry out to their gods. Finally, they wake up Jonah and tell him to pray to his God to see if he will spare them. The crew cast lots to see who caused the storm and the lot falls to Jonah and the sailors learn that the storm is his fault as he shares his story. To calm the storm, they throw Jonah overboard. The storm stopped at once and the sailors were awestruck by God’s power. 

Similarities and Differences

Notice these two stories and the similarities. Both Jonah and Jesus are struck by a great storm in which they are sleeping during the event. In both stories, the others on the boat wake up the sleeping party in panic. Those on the boats, in both stories, cry out to a higher power. The disciples cry out to Jesus (God) and the sailors in Jonah cry out to their gods. What makes these stories so different is how the storm stops. Jonah cannot stop the storm as only God can do that. Therefore, Jonah must submit to God. Jesus, on the other, rebukes the waves himself.

Detailed close-up of raindrops on a surface, capturing the essence of a heavy rain shower.

The Authority of Jesus

Notice that! Jesus stops the storm by speaking. This can allude to Genesis 1 in which God spoke all things into existence and power is in God’s word. The disciples are still scared after the storm stopped because of Jesus and his power. They recognize the Psalms in which it says that God is the one who “holds back the winds and waves, He alone has control over the winds that blow as they sweep away the wicked….” Psalms 107:25-31; 89:9. The disciples are terrified because Jesus performed something that only God can do. 

Conclusion

The Old Testament has many sign posts that point to Jesus. The story of Jonah points to Jesus being God as only God has control over the wind and the waves. Jonah appeals to God to stop the storm but Jesus just commands the storm. This speaking to the storm is also a reflection of Genesis 1 in which God speaks things into existence and brings order to the chaotic waters. Jesus ultimately does what only God can do and this explains why the disciples are terrified at the actions and authority of Jesus.

What Now?

  • Reflect on both passages and notice the similarities. Re-read each story and reflect on more similarities.  
  • Write down two areas of your life that you keep fighting for control, then pray to God and place your burden on Him as he is the one truly in control. 
  • Familiarize yourself with the Old Testament in order to draw more connections between the gospels and the Old Testament. 

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