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Power Over the Tempest, February 12
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.
And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them,
Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mark 4:39, 40
.
It had been an eventful day in the life of Jesus. Beside the Sea of Galilee He had
spoken His first parables, by familiar illustrations again explaining to the people the
nature of His kingdom....
All day He had been teaching and healing; and as evening came on the crowds
still pressed upon Him.... Now the close of the day found Him so utterly wearied
that He determined to seek retirement in some solitary place across the lake....
The Saviour was at last relieved from the pressure of the multitude, and, over-
come with weariness and hunger, He lay down in the stern of the boat, and soon fell
asleep. The evening had been calm and pleasant, and quiet rested upon the lake; but
suddenly darkness overspread the sky, the wind swept wildly down the mountain
gorges along the eastern shore, and a fierce tempest burst upon the lake....
The waves, lashed into fury by the howling winds, dashed fiercely over the
disciples’ boat, and threatened to engulf it. Those hardy fishermen had spent their
lives upon the lake, and had guided their craft safely through many a storm; but
now their strength and skill availed nothing. They were helpless in the grasp of the
tempest, and hope failed them as they saw that their boat was filling.
Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten that Jesus was on
board. Now, seeing their labor vain and only death before them, they remembered at
whose command they had set out to cross the sea. In Jesus was their only hope. In
their helplessness and despair they cried, “Master, Master!” But the dense darkness
hid Him from their sight. Their voices were drowned by the roaring of the tempest....
Suddenly a flash of lightning pierces the darkness, and they see Jesus lying
asleep, undisturbed by the tumult. In amazement and despair they exclaim, “Master,
carest thou not that we perish?” ... As the lightning’s glare reveals Him, they see the
peace of heaven in His face; they read in His glance self-forgetful, tender love, and,
their hearts turning to Him, cry, “Lord, save us: we perish.”
Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded. As the disciples grasp their oars to
make a last effort, Jesus rises. He stands in the midst of His disciples, while the
tempest rages.... He lifts His hand, so often employed in deeds of mercy, and says
to the angry sea, “Peace, be still”.... As Jesus rested by faith in the Father’s care, so
we are to rest in the care of our Saviour (
The Desire of Ages, 333-336
).
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