AL 16
April 16
Mark 4:33 to end. Christ sleeps in the storm and awakes to still it.
It was in this manner that the Lord Jesus ended a day of great labor. His friends in the midst of it had desired him to desist, but seeing multitudes assembled to hear the word, he continued to teach. In order to be seen and heard more conveniently, he removed into a ship. The parable of the sower, and many others, were spoken by Jesus while he sat in a ship on the lake of Gennesaret. (See Mark 4:1.) Afterwards, he had a private conversation in the house with his disciples, when he explained his parables. In the evening he crossed the lake in a ship.
Doubtless he knew of the approaching storm, though it appears that there were no signs of it observed by others, for many little ships accompanied him on his voyage. But he was not deterred by his knowledge of the coming storm from setting out, for he intended by it to teach his disciples an important lesson.
They knew little of their Master's power, and still less of his love. The storm ought not to have alarmed them, because they were with Him. God intended to alarm Jonah by the storm that arose on the way to Tarsus, for the prophet was fleeing from his presence. We must not suppose, because difficulties and troubles arise, that we are doing wrong. Before we take any important step in life, we should examine the word of God with prayer, and ask pious people to help us to discover from the Scriptures, whether it is a right step; and if we feel assured that it is, no difficulties in the way ought to alarm us. Christians have observed that they have met with most hindrances in setting about those works which in the end have been most richly blessed. A vessel laden with missionaries has been captured by the enemy. Was that calamity a sign that God disapproved the holy purpose of his servants? Assuredly not. Those who are walking in the commandments of the Lord, may walk without fear, and say in the midst of troubles, "None of these things move me."
Our Savior was displeased with the disciples' behavior in this storm. He was displeased by their want of faith. They doubted his love, and said, "Care you not that we perish?" Because He slept, they thought he was indifferent to their distress. These are the thoughts that too often arise in our minds. Conscious that we are apt to forget the Lord, we fear that He has forgotten us; for we naturally attribute to others the feelings that we ourselves experience. Now his delivering mercies are intended to remove these unbelieving thoughts, and to convince us of his exceeding power and love. For this purpose, he brings his children into straits, and to the very edge of destruction, that he may appear to their rescue in the last moment, and thus force them to believe in his fatherly tenderness.
This is the meaning of the apostle in Rom. 5:3-5—He says that he glories in tribulations. Why? Because they work patience, and patience, experience. Experience of what? Of God's power and love. And experience works hope. God's deliverances are intended to strengthen our hopes of his mercy, and to convince us that he never will forsake us. And shall this hope be disappointed? No! this hope makes not ashamed; it shall never prove vain.
The stilling of the storm on the lake of Gennesaret is calculated to lead our thoughts to another scene, and to remind us of that storm of God's wrath against our sins which Jesus stilled, not by his word, but by the sacrifice of himself. If we are enabled to trust in him, as our Savior from hell, we need not fear any storm that can arise. Let us never say, or even think, "Care you not that we perish?" It is a sin to entertain such a thought of Him who endured the cross that we might not perish forever and ever. He cares for us more than we care for ourselves; he numbers the hairs of our heads, and watches over us with unceasing, unwearied love.