A Place to Rest Your Head “But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion…” Mark 4:38 Mark’s Gospel is the shortest, just sixteen chapters. The writer is not given to superfluous details. He covers the entirety of the Baptism of Jesus, the Temptation in the Wilderness and the beginning of his ministry in just 6 verses comprised of 138 words. It is interesting then that Mark, and none of the other Gospel writers includes a tiny detail in his account of the “Calming of the Storm” – whilst the storm raged around them and the fishermen disciples feared for their lives, Jesus was asleep and, specifically, on a cushion – his head was resting on a pillow. Mark usually only includes such detail if there is some theological significance and this example is no exception. There is only one mention of a cushion or pillow in the New Testament. And the specific Greek word that Mark chose, over a number of other options, “proskephalaion” which literally means “Head support thing.” The meaning is more wonderful in the context, that Jesus was at peace in the heart of the storm, with his head resting on the “head support thing” literally and spiritually. The meaning is revealed in his response to the disciples when they awaken him, he calms the storm and then with their mouths open in awe, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ Jesus was calm because his head rested on the truth of God, he knew that there was nothing to fear, he knew that despite the storm there was no risk of perishing. Jesus knew God, was God and had full faith in his saving grace and power. The great Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon, said this “The sovereignty of God is the pillow on which the Christian rests their head.” The fact that God is God and that he loves us is the truth and assurance we have to rest upon. Even when the storms of life rage around us, we have God and can rest on God, our heads guarded by God’s reality. A good old Sunday School song reminds us, “With Jesus in the boat you can smile at the storm…” which may be a little optimistic. Storms may fill us with fear and challenge us. Another phrase which might be more helpful and honest is this: “Having Jesus in your boat doesn’t mean you’ll never go through storms, but it does mean your boat will never sink.” As we face the storms let us rest our heads in the faith in God’s sovereignty and remember that he will not let us down. He will bring us safe to shore. Adam Earle