The Stilling of the Storm

Picture: The Stilling of the Storm 3TC 213.1

This chapter is based on Matthew 8:23-34; Mark 4:35-41; 5:1-20; Luke 8:22-39. 

It had been an eventful day. Beside the Sea of Galilee Jesus had spoken His first parables, explaining the nature of His kingdom and how it was to be established. He had compared His work to that of the sower and the development of His kingdom to the growth of the mustard seed and the effect of leaven in flour. He had pictured the final separation of the righteous and the wicked in the parables of the wheat and tares and the fishing net. The precious truths He taught had been illustrated by the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. 3TC 213.2

As evening came on, the crowds still pressed in on Him. Day after day He had ministered to them, scarcely pausing for food or rest. Now the close of day found Him so completely weary that He went looking for rest in some solitary place across the lake. He asked His disciples to accompany Him there. 3TC 213.3

After He had sent the crowds away, the disciples took Him into the boat and quickly set off. But other fishing boats lying near the shore were soon crowded with people who followed Jesus, still eager to see and hear Him. 3TC 214.1

The Savior, overcome with weariness and hunger, lay down in the stern of the boat and soon fell asleep. The evening had been calm and pleasant, but suddenly darkness spread over the sky, and a fierce storm burst upon the lake. 3TC 214.2

The waves, lashed into fury by howling winds, dashed fiercely over the boat and threatened to sink it. Those strong fishermen had guided their boats safely through many a storm, but now their strength and skill were of no use. Helpless in the grasp of the storm, they saw their boat filling. 3TC 214.3

Jesus Cared

Focused on their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten that Jesus was on board. Now, seeing only death before them, they remembered who had commanded them to set out across the sea. Their only hope was in Jesus. “Master, Master!” But the roaring tempest drowned out their voices, and there was no reply. Doubt and fear overtook them. Jesus had conquered disease and demons, and even death. Was He powerless to help His disciples now? Was He unaware of their distress? 3TC 214.4

Again they called, but there was no answer except the shrieking of the angry storm. Apparently, they were going to be swallowed up by the hungry waters. 3TC 214.5

Suddenly a flash of lightning pierced the darkness, and they saw Jesus lying asleep, undisturbed by the tempest. In amazement, they exclaimed, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 3TC 214.6

Their cry awakened Jesus. As the lightning’s glare revealed Him, they saw the peace of heaven in His face; they saw tender love in His glance, and they cried, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 3TC 214.7

Never did anyone utter that cry unheard. As the disciples grasped their oars to make a last effort, Jesus rose. While the storm raged and the waves broke over them, He lifted His hand and said to the angry sea, “Peace, be still!” 3TC 215.1

The waves sank, the clouds rolled away, and the stars came out. The boat rested on a quiet sea. Then Jesus asked sorrowfully, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 3TC 215.2

A hush fell on the disciples. Terror and despair had seized the occupants of the boats that had set out to accompany Jesus. The storm had driven the boats close together, and all on board saw the miracle. The people whispered among themselves, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” 3TC 215.3

When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He showed no trace of fear in word or look. But it was not His possession of almighty power that gave Him rest. It was not as “Master of earth and sea and sky” that He rested quietly. That power He had laid down. “I can of Myself do nothing.” John 5:30. He trusted in the Father’s might. It was in faith—faith in God’s love and care—that Jesus rested, and the power of the word that stilled the storm was the power of God. 3TC 215.4

In the same way, we are to rest in the care of our Savior. The disciples’ fear in time of danger revealed their unbelief. They forgot Jesus, and only when they turned to Him could He give them help. 3TC 215.5

When tempests of temptation gather, how often we battle with the storm alone. We trust to our own strength till we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if we call on Him to save us, we will not cry out in vain. He never fails to give us the help we need. If we have the Savior in our hearts, we do not need to fear. The Redeemer will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows best. 3TC 215.6

“The wicked are like the troubled sea.” Isaiah 57:20. Sin has destroyed our peace. No human power can control the ruling passions of the heart. We are as helpless here as the disciples were to quiet the raging storm. But however fierce the tempest, those who turn to Jesus with the cry, “Lord, save us,” will find deliverance. His grace quiets the strife of human passion, and in His love the heart is at rest. 3TC 215.7

He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they had quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven. Psalm 107:29, 30, NRSV 3TC 216.1

“Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1. 3TC 216.2

In the early morning, the Savior and His companions came to shore. The light of the rising sun touched sea and land with the blessing of peace. But as they stepped on the beach, their eyes took in a sight more terrible than the fury of the tempest. Two madmen rushed on them as if to tear them to pieces. Hanging about these men were parts of chains they had broken in escaping from confinement. Their flesh was torn and bleeding. Their eyes glared out from under their long, matted hair. Demons possessed them, and they looked more like wild beasts than like men. 3TC 216.3

The disciples ran away in terror, but soon they turned to look for Jesus. He was standing where they had left Him. He who had stilled the storm did not run away. When the men, foaming at the mouth, approached Him, Jesus raised that hand whose gesture had quieted the waves, and the men could come no nearer. 3TC 216.4

With authority, Jesus commanded the unclean spirits to come out of them. His words penetrated the darkened minds of the unfortunate men. They realized dimly that One was near who could save them from the tormenting demons. But when they opened their lips to beg for His mercy, the demons spoke through them, crying furiously, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” 3TC 216.5

Jesus asked, “What is your name?” And the answer was, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” The demons begged Jesus not to send them out of the country. On a mountainside not far away, a large herd of swine was feeding. The demons asked to be allowed to enter these pigs. Immediately, the herd rushed madly down the cliff, plunged into the lake, and died. 3TC 216.6

Meanwhile, a marvelous change had come over the two demon-possessed men. Light had shone into their minds. Their eyes beamed with intelligence and their blood-stained hands were quiet. With glad voices, the men praised God for deliverance. 3TC 217.1

From the cliff, the keepers of the pigs had seen everything that had happened, and they hurried away to announce the news to their employers. In fear and amazement, the whole population flocked to meet Jesus. The demon-possessed men had been the terror of the country. No one had been safe to pass where they were. Now these men were clothed and in their right mind, listening to Jesus’ words and glorifying Him who had made them whole. But the people did not rejoice. The loss of the pigs seemed greater to them than the deliverance of these captives of Satan. 3TC 217.2

The owners of the swine were absorbed in earthly things and did not care about the great interests of spiritual life. Jesus wanted to break the spell of selfish indifference, so that they might accept His grace. But resentment over their financial loss blinded their eyes to the Savior’s mercy. 3TC 217.3

Superstition Excited Fears

The demonstration of supernatural power raised the fears of the people. Further disasters might follow from having this Stranger among them. Those who had crossed the lake with Jesus told of their danger in the storm and how Jesus had stilled the wind and the sea. But their words had no effect. In terror the people pleaded with Jesus to go away, and He complied, taking ship at once for the opposite shore. 3TC 217.4

The people of Gergesa were so afraid of endangering their earthly interests that they treated Jesus, who had vanquished the prince of darkness before their eyes, like an intruder, turning away the Gift of heaven from their doors. There are still many people today who refuse to obey Christ’s word because obedience would involve sacrificing some worldly interest. Fearful that His presence might cause them some monetary loss, many reject His grace and drive His Spirit from them. 3TC 217.5

But the men whom Jesus had restored wanted the company of their Deliverer. In His presence, they felt safe from the demons that had tormented their lives and wasted their best years. As Jesus was about to enter the boat, they kept close to His side and begged Him to keep them near Him. But Jesus told them to go home and tell what great things the Lord had done for them. 3TC 218.1

Here was a work for them to do—to go to a heathen home and tell of the blessing they had received from Jesus. It was hard for them to be separated from the Savior. Difficulties were sure to follow them. Long isolation from society seemed to disqualify them for the work He had given them. But as soon as Jesus pointed out their duty, they were ready to obey. They went throughout Decapolis, declaring everywhere His power to save and describing how He had freed them from the demons. In doing this work, they could receive a greater blessing than if they had remained in His presence. In working to spread the “good news” of salvation, we are brought near to the Savior. 3TC 218.2

The two restored men were the first missionaries Christ sent to preach in the region of Decapolis. These men had been privileged to hear the teachings of Christ for only a few moments. But in their own persons, they carried the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. They could tell what they knew, what they had seen and heard and felt of the power of Christ. This is what everyone can do whose heart has been touched by the grace of God. See 1 John 1:1-3. 3TC 218.3

If we have been following Jesus step by step, we will have something to tell about the way in which He has led us—how we have tested His promise and found the promise true. This is the witness for which our Lord calls us. 3TC 218.4

Though the people of Gergesa had not received Jesus, He did not leave them to the darkness they had chosen. They had not heard His words. They were ignorant of what they were rejecting. So He again sent light to them by those to whom they would not refuse to listen. 3TC 218.5

The destruction of the swine alerted the whole country as nothing else could have done and directed attention to Christ. The men He healed remained as witnesses to His power, channels of light, messengers of the Son of God. This experience opened a door throughout that region. When Jesus returned to Decapolis, thousands heard the message. God overrules even the working of evil to bring about good. 3TC 218.6

The demon-possessed men of Gergesa, dwelling among the graves, in slavery to uncontrolled passions and loathsome lusts, represent what humanity would become if left to Satan’s rule. Satan constantly exerts his influence on people to control the mind and incite to violence and crime. He darkens the intellect and defiles the heart. Whenever people reject the Savior’s invitation, they are yielding themselves to Satan. Many in the home, in business, and even in church are doing this today. Because of this, violence and crime blanket the earth, and moral darkness encloses the places where people live. Satan leads men and women to worse and worse evils, until complete wickedness and ruin are the result. The only safeguard against his power is the presence of Jesus. In the sight of men and angels, Satan has been revealed as our enemy and destroyer; Christ, as our Friend and Deliverer. 3TC 219.1

God has called us to be “conformed to the image of His Son.” Romans 8:29. And people who have been degraded into instruments of Satan are still transformed through Christ into messengers of righteousness and sent out to tell “what great things the Lord has done for you.” 3TC 219.2