“Peace, Be Still”
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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, the waves break over them, and
the lightning illuminates His countenance. He lifts His hand, so often
employed in deeds of mercy, and says to the angry sea, “Peace, be
still.”
The storm ceases. The billows sink to rest. The clouds roll away,
and the stars shine forth. The boat rests upon a quiet sea. Then turning
to His disciples, Jesus asks sorrowfully, “Why are ye fearful? have ye
not yet faith?”
Mark 4:40
, R.V.
A hush fell upon the disciples. Even Peter did not attempt to
express the awe that filled his heart. The boats that had set out to
accompany Jesus had been in the same peril with that of the disciples.
Terror and despair had seized their occupants; but the command of
Jesus brought quiet to the scene of tumult. The fury of the storm
had driven the boats into close proximity, and all on board beheld the
miracle. In the calm that followed, fear was forgotten. The people
whispered among themselves, “What manner of man is this, that even
the winds and the sea obey Him?”
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When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect
peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in
His heart. But He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It
was not as the “Master of earth and sea and sky” that He reposed in
quiet. That power He had laid down, and He says, “I can of Mine own
self do nothing.”
John 5:30
. He trusted in the Father’s might. It was in
faith—faith in God’s love and care—that Jesus rested, and the power
of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God.
As Jesus rested by faith in the Father’s care, so we are to rest in
the care of our Saviour. If the disciples had trusted in Him, they would
have been kept in peace. Their fear in the time of danger revealed their
unbelief. In their efforts to save themselves, they forgot Jesus; and it
was only when, in despair of self-dependence, they turned to Him that
He could give them help.
How often the disciples’ experience is ours! When the tempests
of temptation gather, and the fierce lightnings flash, and the waves
sweep over us, we battle with the storm alone, forgetting that there
is One who can help us. We trust to our own strength till our hope
is lost, and we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if