![]() Jesus’ calming of the storm has a predictable consequence: The terror of the disciples is turned to awe. In Mark’s story there does not appear to be any human mischief for which the storm was punishment it was just one of those sudden squalls that overtake inland lakes and swamp small boats. For it was also on the Mediterranean Sea that great waves threatened to overturn a sailing ship until Jonah persuaded the crew that he was the cause of their peril and should be thrown overboard. Perhaps he was inspired by the fable of Jonah and the fish. Or he may have created a legend, drawing on the stilling of the storm. In telling his sea story Britten may have built on an existing legend. But in answer to the prayers of Nicholas, the storm ceases as suddenly as it began. A sudden and terrible storm does indeed burst upon the ship, and it seems that all hands will be lost. When Nicholas warns them that foul weather is ahead, the sailors mock him. While Nicholas kneels on the deck to say his prayers, the seamen gamble at cards. The ship sails on calm waters, under clear skies. In one scene in Saint Nicholas the godly man is on the Mediterranean Sea, headed for the Holy Land. Benjamin Britten wrote a cantata about the fourth century bishop who in legend became Santa Claus. The stilling of the storm has always tickled the Christian imagination. ![]() The storm is suddenly replaced with a great calm. When he and the disciples are in danger of being lost at sea, Jesus quiets the wind and waves with a rebuke. Jesus - who has previously been seen as Painkiller, Breadbringer, and Truthteller - is now revealed as Stormstiiler. The wonderful story in Mark 4:35-4 1 tempts us to borrow this literary device. A sea-loving giant is called Foamfollower others are called Earthfriend, Hearthrall, and Farseer. Donaldson gives heroic names to his characters. In his fabulous Thomas Covenant narratives, Stephen R. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?" (Mark 4:35-41) But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. ![]() A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. "And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. On that day, when evening had come, said to them, "Let us go across to the other side. ![]()
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