So the disciples push the boat out of the shallow water and start to row. These are experienced seamen. Several of the disciples were fishermen by trade. They knew this sea; they knew how to handle a boat.
They also knew how nasty the Sea of Galilee could get when a storm blew in; deadly even. So it would prove to be. While Jesus calmly slept with his head on a pillow (such an interesting detail that Mark throws in) the wind picked up, the waves picked up, the boat started rocking, the rowing got harder. Soon the waves were crashing over the sides; the boat was being swamped and in light of the disciples' shouted distress, I would imagine that the danger was real.
They were frightened. Right down to their toes. It is not unusual in such a situation to look to your left and to your right to be assured that everyone was working as hard as they could for the sake of all. No slackers allowed when all their lives were on the edge. So, you take the darkness, the middle of the sea, the roaring wind, the crashing waves, and the very real danger of dying, and it shouldn't surprise any of us that they turned to a sleeping Jesus and shouted......."Do you not care that we are perishing?" they might have just as easily have said, "Why aren't you scared?" or " Get up and help!" or many other things but this is what is recorded.
We watch in our mind's eye as Jesus throws off his sleep, opening his eyes, becoming aware of the storm. He stands and talks directly to the danger that surrounds them - he commands the wind to quiet and the water to be at peace.
He asks, 'Do you not trust me?' 'Have you so little faith?'
At this moment we forget all about the original mission of the mustard seed, to be a part of the growing of the Kingdom of God. At this moment, we forget about the need to get to the other side where the other people live and where people are waiting for the liberation that Jesus brings. We turn this entire story into a discussion of faith: How much do you have? How can you get stronger? You might even talk about a terribly frightening time in your life when your faith was tested.
All well and good, but that makes the story about you in your personal life, and not a story about being a disciple who is called to bring Jesus to people in scary places. It becomes a story about you and not a story about all of the other people Jesus loves and who need to know the power of his presence.
Of course they were scared. Anyone would be. Yet they traveled with the Lord of Sea and Sky and the kingdom awaited.
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