Chapter 35—“Peace, Be Still”
This chapter is based on
Matthew 8:23-34
;
Mark 4:35-41
;
Mark
5:1-20
;
Luke 8:22-39
.
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 and the
manner in which it was to be established. He had likened His own
work to that of the sower; the development of His kingdom to the
growth of the mustard seed and the effect of leaven in the measure
of meal. The great final separation of the righteous and the wicked
He had pictured in the parables of the wheat and tares and the fishing
net. The exceeding preciousness of the truths He taught had been
illustrated by the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, while in
the parable of the householder He taught His disciples how they were
to labor as His representatives.
All day He had been teaching and healing; and as evening came on
the crowds still pressed upon Him. Day after day He had ministered
to them, scarcely pausing for food or rest. The malicious criticism and
misrepresentation with which the Pharisees constantly pursued Him
made His labors much more severe and harassing; and 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 eastern shore of Gennesaret was not uninhabited, for there
were towns here and there beside the lake; yet it was a desolate region
when compared with the western side. It contained a population more
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heathen than Jewish, and had little communication with Galilee. Thus
it offered Jesus the seclusion He sought, and He now bade His disciples
accompany Him thither.
After He had dismissed the multitude, they took Him, even “as He
was,” into the boat, and hastily set off. But they were not to depart
alone. There were other fishing boats lying near the shore, and these
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