Underestimating Jesus

He is so much more

BY PERRY C. BROWN

Even more alarming than the storm itself was the sight of Jesus, the Son of God, lying peacefully asleep on a cushion in the stern of the wildly pitching and rapidly filling boat. The disciples, who were seasoned fishermen familiar with the dangers of the sea, were understandably terrified as their vessel was tossed about by the ferocious winds and tumultuous waves. In a moment of sheer desperation, they roused Him from His slumber, their voices filled with panic and fear, as they yelled at Him in a less than respectful tone, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” What a profoundly faithless question to ask, especially in the face of the miraculous presence of Jesus, despite the seemingly dire circumstances surrounding them.

Earlier, Jesus had instructed them to cross to the other side of the sea, and His “should” implied that they were indeed destined to reach their destination. This promise carried with it a sense of assurance that should have instilled confidence in the disciples, yet their immediate reaction was one of fear and doubt. They failed to grasp the significance of having the Savior of the world in their midst, even as the storm raged around them.

A Powerful Savior

In a moment that would forever change their understanding of His authority, Jesus stirred from His deep sleep and, with a voice that resonated with divine authority, commanded the storm, “Peace! Be still!” Instantly, the howling wind ceased, and the crashing waves were subdued, settling into an eerie “great calm” (v. 39). The term megala¯ is the word for “great” in “great calm,” and it vividly describes the suddenness and completeness of the transition from chaos to tranquility. It was as if someone had simply pulled the plug on the storm — one moment there was fury and chaos, and the next, an overwhelming peace enveloped the scene.

The storm's abrupt cessation was astonishing enough, but perhaps even more chilling was the silhouette of Jesus standing in the boat’s stern, effortlessly manipulating the very forces of nature itself. His rebuke to the disciples, “Why are you so afraid?” could be more accurately translated as “Why are you so timid?” They had every reason to feel scared given the circumstances they faced, but with Jesus in the boat, they had no reason to despair. His presence alone should have been a source of comfort and strength.

Then, the Bible notes that the disciples were filled with “great fear” — another form of megala¯. Mark articulated their fear in a memorable way: they “feared a great fear” — a very Jewish expression that illustrates how their fear escalated into something almost paralyzing, overtaking them with terror. Thus, a mega-storm was followed by Jesus’ authoritative command, and then obedient nature responded with a mega-peace, culminating in the disciples’ mega-fear! Their miraculous reprieve from the storm took a back seat to their overwhelming dread. “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” they questioned one another, still in shock. Their feet and garments were soaked from the storm's assault just moments before, yet their focus was not on the dispersing clouds or the now glassy sea, but rather on the awe-inspiring figure of Jesus. In that moment, the veil of His humanity seemed to lift, revealing the power and might of the Creator as He commanded nature with absolute authority.

We can genuinely say that the storm frightened the disciples while they were in the boat with Jesus, but the power of Jesus terrified them in a way that was far more profound. Despite their familiarity with Him, the disciples had still underestimated His true nature and capabilities. This feeling of shock and surprise is relatable, not only from my own experience with a malfunctioning water heater that caught me off guard but also from a humbling experience I had in a fancy restaurant.

A Powerful Lesson

My family once took me to a high-end restaurant in Dallas, Texas, to celebrate my birthday. We had splurged on a floor-to-ceiling window booth located on the 49th floor of a downtown high-rise, where the restaurant was situated. From our vantage point, we were treated to a breathtaking sunset over the city, a moment that felt truly special. Our courteous maître d’ informed us of several special dishes that were not listed on the printed menu, and my wife decided to order a specialty steak that we believed would cost $50 — a reasonable price for an 8 oz. prime steak in such an upscale establishment. Or so we thought.

When our food finally arrived, we savored every bite, reminiscing about pleasant memories shared around the table. My wife’s steak was particularly tender and thick, a delightful treat that complemented the warm, loving company of family. However, the moment of joy was swiftly followed by the arrival of the bill. My wife had prepaid for most of the meal, so the balance we owed was expected to cover only additional amenities. To our shock, we discovered that her 8 oz. steak was not priced at $50, but rather an astonishing $50 per ounce! This revelation meant that my wife had just enjoyed a $400 steak, one of the tastiest yet most expensive meals she had ever been served. We all shared in the blame, as we had collectively misheard the price and underestimated what such a prime steak would actually cost in a lavish restaurant setting.

Likewise, the disciples of Jesus had underestimated Him. And just as they did, we too may find ourselves underestimating Him, which can lead to our embarrassment and even shame in the face of His true power and glory. No matter how well we might think we know Jesus at this moment — much like the disciples did before the Galilean storm — when we are eventually confronted with the majesty and glory of His presence, we will come to fully understand that we have completely underestimated Him.

Therefore, it is crucial that we avoid a tepid, Jesus-as-usual relationship with our powerful Savior. How can we achieve this deeper connection? I have found that a simple yet profound prayer can help open our eyes to the possibility of knowing and serving Him in a more meaningful way:

“Lord, I confess that our relationship has become tepid and predictable. Do you want to do more through me? Please show me. I don’t want to meet you face to face someday and regret that I underestimated you. I need your help to be all you want me to be. Thank you in advance. Amen.”

Let’s strive to live tomorrow with that prayer on our lips and with this doxology in our hearts:

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

(Ephesians 3:20-21)

©2026 by Perry C. Brown. Used by permission. Perry is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and has taught the Bible for over 45 years. His books, articles, and essays can be read at perrycbrown.com.