Chapter 22—Christ in the Synagogue
This interview of Jesus with his disciples, in which they had re-
ceived much precious instruction, was interrupted by those who had
been searching for him. As the people began to flock about him, bring-
ing their sick and afflicted, he repaired to the synagogue. While he
was teaching there, many others of those who had left him on the other
side of the lake came to the synagogue, and were surprised to see Jesus
and his disciples there before them, knowing that there was no boat
by which he could pass to the other side. They began to inquire how
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and when he had crossed the sea. They were astonished when the
disciples related to them the events of the preceding night. The fury of
the storm and the many hours of fruitless rowing against the fury of
adverse winds, the appearance of Christ walking upon the water, the
fears thus aroused, his reassuring words, the adventure of Peter and its
result, with the sudden stilling of the tempest and landing of the boat,
were all faithfully recounted to the wondering crowd, amid frequent
interruptions and exclamations of amazement.
But their attention was now directed to the lessons of Jesus, so
full of solemn interest. Many were deeply affected; but the minds of
some were entirely engrossed with curiosity regarding the wonderful
relation they had heard. As soon as the discourse was ended, they
gathered around the Saviour, questioning him, hoping to receive from
his own lips a fuller account of his mighty work of the previous night.
But Jesus did not gratify their idle curiosity. He was also beset by the
Pharisees, to show them a sign from Heaven that he was the Son of
God. They asked an evidence of his miraculous power, such as had
been given on the other side of the sea. They importuned him to repeat
his wonderful works before them.
Jesus declared to them that they did not seek him from any worthy
motive; that they did not desire to learn how to please God in their
daily lives; but they asked him to work miracles, sometimes in a spirit
of unbelief, and sometimes because they hoped to be benefited by
temporal favors which he might thus bestow upon them. He bade
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