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disciples. They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished
hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a
most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation
to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This
was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this,
and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which
it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without
the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension
the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their
conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to
worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy
upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony
and tears.
The disciples had not put off immediately from the land, as Jesus
directed them. They waited for a time, hoping that He would come to
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them. But as they saw that darkness was fast gathering, they “entered
into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum.” They had left
Jesus with dissatisfied hearts, more impatient with Him than ever be-
fore since acknowledging Him as their Lord. They murmured because
they had not been permitted to proclaim Him king. They blamed
themselves for yielding so readily to His command. They reasoned
that if they had been more persistent they might have accomplished
their purpose.
Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love
of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the
Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought
He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty
miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill
endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet?
Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who
possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make
their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from
a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon
themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be
an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted?
The disciples had that day witnessed the wonderful works of Christ.
It had seemed that heaven had come down to the earth. The memory
of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and