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eir disaffection； their unbelief； their impatience。 Everyone worked to keep the boat from sinking。 It was but a short distance by sea from Bethsaida to the point where they expected to meet Jesus； and in ordinary weather the journey required but a few hours； but now they were driven farther
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and farther from the point they sought。 Until the fourth watch of the night they toiled at the oars。 Then the weary men gave themselves up for lost。 In storm and darkness the sea had taught them their own helplessness； and they longed for the presence of their Master。
Jesus had not forgotten them。 The Watcher on the shore saw those fear…stricken men battling with the tempest。 Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples。 With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm…tossed boat with its precious burden； for these men were to be the light of the world。 As a mother in tender love watches her child； so the compassionate Master watched His disciples。 When their hearts were subdued； their unholy ambition quelled； and in humility they prayed for help； it was given them。
At the moment when they believe themselves lost； a gleam of light reveals a mysterious figure approaching them upon the water。 But they know not that it is Jesus。 The One who has come for their help they count as an enemy。 Terror overpowers them。 The hands that have grasped the oars with muscles like iron let go their hold。 The boat rocks at the will of the waves； all eyes are riveted on this vision of a man walking upon the white…capped billows of the foaming sea。
They think it a phantom that omens their destruction； and they cry out for fear。 Jesus advances as if He would pass them； but they recognize Him； and cry out； entreating His help。 Their beloved Master turns； His voice silences their fear； 〃Be of good cheer： it is I； be not afraid。〃
As soon as they could credit the wondrous fact； Peter was almost beside himself with joy。 As if he could scarcely yet believe； he cried out； 〃Lord； if it be Thou； bid me come unto Thee on the water。 And He said； Come。〃
Looking unto Jesus； Peter walks securely； but as in self…satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat； his eyes are turned from the Saviour。 The wind is boisterous。 The waves roll high； and come directly between him and the Master； and he is afraid。 For a moment Christ is hidden from his view； and his faith gives way。 He begins to sink。 But while the billows talk with death； Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters； and fixing them upon Jesus； cries； 〃Lord； save me。〃 Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand； saying； 〃O thou of little faith； wherefore didst thou doubt？〃
Walking side by side； Peter's hand in that of his Master； they stepped into the boat together。 But Peter was now subdued and silent。 He had no reason to boast over his fellows； for through unbelief and self…exaltation
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he had very nearly lost his life。 When he turned his eyes from Jesus； his footing was lost； and he sank amid the waves。
When trouble comes upon us； how often we are like Peter！ We look upon the waves； instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour。 Our footsteps slide； and the proud waters go over our souls。 Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish； He does not call us to follow Him； and then forsake us。 〃Fear not；〃 He says； 〃for I have redeemed thee； I have called thee by thy name； thou art Mine。 When thou passest through the waters； I will be with thee； and through the rivers； they shall not overflow thee： when thou walkest through the fire； thou shalt not be burned； neither shall the flame kindle upon thee。 For I am the Lord thy God； the Holy One of Israel； thy Saviour。〃 Isa。 43：1…3。
Jesus read the character of His disciples。 He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried。 In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness；to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power。 Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self…distrust he should rely upon the Saviour。 It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak； and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ。 Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea； he would not have failed when the great test came upon him。
Day by day God instructs His children。 By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them。 It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis。
Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation。 We may now suppose that our feet stand secure； and that we shall never be moved。 We may say with confidence； 〃I know in whom I have believed； nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word。〃 But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character； and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects。 Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely。
No sooner had Jesus taken His place in the boat than the wind ceased； 〃and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went。〃 The night of horror was succeeded by the light of dawn。 The disciples； and others who also were on board； bowed at the feet of Jesus with thankful hearts； saying； 〃Of a truth Thou art the Son of God！〃
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Chapter 41
The Crisis in Galilee
When Christ forbade the people to declare Him king； He knew that a turning point in His history was reached。 Multitudes who desired to exalt Him to the throne today would turn from Him tomorrow。 The disappointment of their selfish ambition would turn their love to hatred； and their praise to curses。 Yet knowing this； He took no measures to avert the crisis。 From the first He had held out to His followers no hope of earthly rewards。 To one who came desiring to become His disciple He had said； 〃The foxes have holes； and the birds of the air have nests； but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head。〃 Matt。 8：20。 If men could have had the world with Christ； multitudes would have proffered Him their allegiance； but such service He could not accept。 Of those now connected with Him there were many who had been attracted by the hope of a worldly kingdom。 These must be undeceived。 The deep spiritual teaching in the miracle of the loaves had not been comprehended。 This was to be made plain。 And this new revelation would bring with it a closer test。
The miracle of the loaves was reported far and near； and very early next morning the people flocked to Bethsaida to see Jesus。 They came in great numbers； by land and sea。 Those who had left Him the preceding night returned； expecting to find Him still there； for there had been no boat by which He could pass to the other side。 But their search was fruitless； and many repaired to Capern