The Lord Jesus had entered into a ship with “His own,” and had said, “Let us go over unto the other side” (Lk. 8:22). As they sailed He fell asleep. It is important to compare the various records of the incident in the different Gospels if we are to have an adequate appreciation of the events which took place. Luke says He fell asleep. Mark tells us that He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow. “And there came down a storm of wind on the lake.” Mark informs us that it was a violent storm. Matthew says that it was a great tempest (two different words).
Again, Matthew records that the ship was covered by the waves. Mark tells us that the waves beat into the ship. Luke records the graphic situation that they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
It was a trying experience for those disciples. They looked at the outward conditions, and could see nothing but a watery grave. But where was the Master? In the hinder part of the vessel. What was He doing? Sleeping–yes, He was “asleep on a pillow,” a perfect picture of peace in the midst of storm.
The disciples were filled with alarm, and in their undisguised terror they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, according to Luke, “Master, Master, we perish”; or, according to Mark, “Carest Thou not that we perish?” The first statement implies the attitude of fear; the second of unbelief.
Had they reasoned correctly, they would have said, “We are perfectly safe. The Master is with us, and we cannot sink so long as He is on board– if we go down, He will go down with us, and that is impossible.”
However, in response to their cry of distress, He arose, and with one word–“Peace”–He rebuked the angry waves and the howling wind, and immediately there was a great calm. The Lord then turned to the disciples with the pertinent question, “Where is your faith?” Mark records the words, “How is it that ye have no faith?” but Matthew gives just a slim ray of sunshine by recording the words, “O ye of little faith!” Yes, they possessed a little faith, but so little as to be well nigh imperceptible.
Thus the Saviour proved Himself to be more than equal to the stormy elements, and more than equal to the timidity of His followers. He can be trusted in the storm.
Now let us apply the lesson to ourselves. We are on the way to the “other side,” and we are bound to arrive there safely because the Master is with us every mile of the way. But occasionally we meet with “violent tempests.” Our frail barque is “covered with the waves,” and we are filled with fear. “Where is your faith?” Is it centered in ourselves, or in Him?
Why do we so frequently fail? How is it that we so often find ourselves defeated rather than victorious? Why do our heads hang down when they should be lifted up in praise and thanksgiving? The answer to all this is found in Matthew 17:20, “Because of your unbelief.” Herein lies the reason why so many believers are burdened with undue anxiety, occupied with their trials and difficulties, continually worrying over the little things of life.
If our faith is centered in ourselves we shall inevitably fail, but if it is well-grounded in Him we shall rise triumphantly over the stormy seas of our trying circumstances.