TWILIGHT was beginning to fall over beautiful Lake Genesareth. Its blue waters were quiet and peaceful. On the shore were anchored many fishing boats, mostly empty. Why were the fishermen not at their nets catching the fish they were to take to the market at Capernaum? What can have taken them away from their daily work, and why that great crowd on the hill side?
Men, women and children all gather around one person. How very different this Man is from all others! His gentle face is deeply marred as if He had suffered much; His eyes—were there ever eyes like those? —full of the deepest love and tenderness, gazing with pity at the multitude around Him? What words come from His blessed mouth!
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
He looked very weary Himself, and turned to a few men close by Him, and said,
“Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” They went to the shore, and entered a ship; others followed in smaller boats, and all pulled away from shore.
It was quiet and restful after the busy day. Jesus, for it was He, laid His tired head on a pillow and fell asleep. The boat glided along for a while, but before long there arose one of those sudden storms that occasionally break over eastern lakes; the waves lashed themselves into a fury, and began to fill the boat. The fishermen looked at their Lord. He slept as if nothing could disturb Him. Did He not care? Could He not hear?
“Master,” they cried, “carest Thou not that we perish?”
Jesus arose, commanded the storm to cease, and to the sea he simply said, “Peace, be still!” What a change took place in a moment! Immediately there was a great calm. The disciples looked with awe upon Him. Who can this man be, who by a word causes even the wind and waves to keep still? Ah! we know who He was—the Lord of glory—the One who created all things. He, it was who was with them in the boat. Need they be afraid, even though He might sleep for a while? Would He allow any harm to befall those whom He came to save? Impossible! “O, ye of little faith!” He tells them. Happy are all they who can truly say,
ML 03/26/1922