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The Storm on the Lake

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Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 15, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 45.

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The Storm on the Lake

By Arthur V. Fox

Mark 4:35-41

By Arthur V. Fox
OUR Lord had been teaching much by parables. It had been a busy day with a great multitude. He had taught for hours, and was weary. He wanted retirement and rest. It was now evening. He was still in the boat, from which He had been speaking to the people. When He gave orders therefore to cross to the other side of the lake, the disciples had only to send the multitude away, and then to embark with Him. They had been listeners only; He had been laboring, giving His life to the people. Naturally He was more tired than they. While they were rowing across the sea, He was fast asleep. It was a rude sleeping place for the Lord of Glory—a rough fishing-boat, with a board or at best a rower's cushion for His pillow. "The Son of Man hath not where to lay His head."
Storms are not uncommon on that inland sea, surrounded tho it is by hills and valleys; and they often arise suddenly. That night such a storm arose. It was a great storm. The wind raged, the waves were beating into the boat, and already the little craft was filling, when the terrified disciples awoke their Lord.
It seemed strange to them that He should sleep on, while they were in such danger. Master! they cried, Master! carest Thou not—is it nothing to Thee—that we perish—that we are perishing? What words to address to Him who was there, in the world, only that He might save them and others from perishing! He was come to seek and save that which was lost. He had made perishing sinners His special care. He was more than Master, or Teacher, to His disciples; He was their Saviour; the Saviour of the soul, and the Saviour of the body. He did care for them. He never ceased to care. Waking or sleeping, He was with them as their Saviour. With Him they were safe.
A word—and the storm was stayed. The waves ceased their tumult, there was "a great calm," a perfect and unusual smoothness—as if to show Almighty Power directly at work. When all was quiet, and they knew they were safe, He gently reproved them. Thus does He deal with His disciples. We also too often fear, through weakness of faith. Our safety is in nearness to our Lord, and union with Him. If we have cast in our lot and embarked our all with Him, we can not perish. The wind may blow, the waves may be rough, and all around may look dark and threatening; but He is with us. If ever faith fail at such a time, let us hear His voice saying to us, "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?"
He does not sleep now. He is far beyond all those bodily weaknesses which He once took upon Himself for our sake. He cares for us, and is always near, always watching over us. Almighty power is ever put forth to save.
Los Angeles, California.