Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-05
Mystery, Mastery, Ministry.

1AyStcTy, AdSLcIy, Q4IulSITys
The apostles had reluctantly left the
place where Christ had fed the multitude.
They had started i'm the late afternoon
across the lake toward Bethsaida of Cali
lee. the harbor of Capernaum. A sudden
storm swept over the sea, against which
they could make no progress, having gone
only three miles, according to John. dur
ing the eight or ten hours they had been
on the lake. Galilee Is susceptible to
storms because the sea Is 6S2 feet below
sea level. 1t is surrounded by lofty noun
tain heights that create great differences
in temperature, which. cause the sudden
atmospheric disturbances to rush down
upon the lake and lash the calm sea into
a tempestuous storm. The disciples, worn
out by the nights struggle. were without
the Masters presence. They had obeyed
unwillingly His commands, not realizing
that from the mountain heights He was
watching over them. knowing in advance
their coming trouble and how He would
deliver them.
/ About dawn, for the fourth watch, ac-
cording to the Roman division, was the
morning one, between the hours Of and
q am, they gave up in despair. 1mme-
diately Jesus came to their rescue, walk
ing on the water as If it We're land. His
remarkable appearance that early morn
made them think He was ghost. Pos
sibly ii was the light of heaven. illumi-
mating His face, making radiant His gar
ments, that gave the Master the appear
ance of phantom. They did not recog-
nize Christ. He would have passed them
by. He intended to do it if they did
not call to Him. Life is full of such ex-
periences. The trials we dread the
troubles that fill us with fear. all turn out
for our good. for 'all things work to-
gether for good to them that love God"
The reason they did not recognize
Christ's presence was because they had
not understood the miracle of the loaves.
Their minds had become hardened and
their spiritual insight dulled because they
had failed to grasp the spiritual signiG-
canoe of Christ's ministry when He fed
the people. This caused them to be
amazed at His presence. II they had
stood with Christ in His protest against
the political plans of the people they
would not have been terrified by His
presence.
They landed in the morning at the plain
of Gennesaret. This fertile tract irregular
in shape on the northwest coast of Galilee
being about three miles long by one wide.
was astonishfngly productive. Josephus
describes it as IAN ambition of nature"
in which all kinds of trees flourished and
fruits ripened throughout tie year The
crowds that Immediately assembled and
others that We're summoned to hear Him
and be healed by Him gave Jesus a Won
derful opportunity to be of service
for man. The closing paragraph
of the lesson covers an extended min
istry throughout their villages and
cities where they broubht the sick
and suffering into the market places that
they might touch Him. Their faith was
rewarded. for ''as many as touched Him
We're made whole"
The example of people of Gennesaret in
worth our imitation. We must not forget
the fact that amid all the sickness, suf-
fering and struggles of life Jesus
watches our battle; that He is ever ready
to help. and that amid all the trials OF
life He draws near to help us when We
call. Let us recognize His presence and
power. Jesus can meet every situation.
We should never be afraid of His pres
ence In the dark experiences of life. Let
us expect and look for the unfailing Mas
ter to draw near and minister unto us,
supplying all our needs from the store-
room of God. who will give us grace and
glory through the presence. power and
promise of Jesus, who says to us. BE of
good cheer, it is /: be not afraid"