the desire of ages-第57章
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Again they call； but there is no answer except the shrieking of the angry blast。 Already their boat is sinking。 A moment； and apparently they will be swallowed up by the hungry waters。
Suddenly a flash of lightning pierces the darkness； and they see Jesus lying asleep； undisturbed by the tumult。 In amazement and despair they exclaim； 〃Master； carest Thou not that we perish？〃 How can He rest so peacefully； while they are in danger and battling with death？
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Their cry arouses Jesus。 As the lightning's glare reveals Him； they see the peace of heaven in His face； they read in His glance self…forgetful； tender love； and； their hearts turning to Him； cry； 〃Lord； save us： we perish。〃
Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded。 As the disciples grasp their oars to make a last effort； Jesus rises。 He stands in the midst of His disciples； while the tempest rages； the waves break over them； and the lightning illuminates His countenance。 He lifts His hand； so often employed in deeds of mercy； and says to the angry sea； 〃Peace； be still。〃
The storm ceases。 The billows sink to rest。 The clouds roll away； and the stars shine forth。 The boat rests upon a quiet sea。 Then turning to His disciples； Jesus asks sorrowfully； 〃Why are ye fearful？ have ye not yet faith？〃 Mark 4：40； R。V。
A hush fell upon the disciples。 Even Peter did not attempt to express the awe that filled his heart。 The boats that had set out to accompany Jesus had been in the same peril with that of the disciples。 Terror and despair had seized their occupants； but the command of Jesus brought quiet to the scene of tumult。 The fury of the storm had driven the boats into close proximity； and all on board beheld the miracle。 In the calm that followed； fear was forgotten。 The people whispered among themselves； 〃What manner of man is this； that even the winds and the sea obey Him？〃
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When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm； He was in perfect peace。 There was no trace of fear in word or look； for no fear was in His heart。 But He rested not in the possession of almighty power。 It was not as the 〃Master of earth and sea and sky〃 that He reposed in quiet。 That power He had laid down； and He says； 〃I can of Mine own self do nothing。〃 John 5：30。 He trusted in the Father's might。 It was in faithfaith in God's love and carethat Jesus rested； and the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God。
As Jesus rested by faith in the Father's care； so we are to rest in the care of our Saviour。 If the disciples had trusted in Him； they would have been kept in peace。 Their fear in the time of danger revealed their unbelief。 In their efforts to save themselves； they forgot Jesus； and it was only when； in despair of self…dependence； they turned to Him that He could give them help。
How often the disciples' experience is ours！ When the tempests of temptation gather； and the fierce lightnings flash； and the waves sweep over us； we battle with the storm alone； forgetting that there is One who can help us。 We trust to our own strength till our hope is lost； and we are ready to perish。 Then we remember Jesus； and if we call upon Him to save us； we shall not cry in vain。 Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief and self…confidence； He never fails to give us the help we need。 Whether on the land or on the sea； if we have the Saviour in our hearts； there is no need of fear。 Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life； and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best。
There is another spiritual lesson in this miracle of the stilling of the tempest。 Every man's experience testifies to the truth of the words of Scripture； 〃The wicked are like the troubled sea； when it cannot rest。 。 。 。 There is no peace； saith my God； to the wicked。〃 Isa。 57：20； 21。 Sin has destroyed our peace。 While self is unsubdued； we can find no rest。 The masterful passions of the heart no human power can control。 We are as helpless here as were the disciples to quiet the raging storm。 But He who spoke peace to the billows of Galilee has spoken the word of peace for every soul。 However fierce the tempest； those who turn to Jesus with the cry； 〃Lord； save us；〃 will find deliverance。 His grace； that reconciles the soul to God； quiets the strife of human passion； and in His love the heart is at rest。 〃He maketh the storm a calm； so that the waves thereof are still。 Then are they glad because they be quiet；
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so He bringeth them unto their desired haven。〃 Ps。 107：29； 30。 〃Being justified by faith； we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ。〃 〃The work of righteousness shall be peace； and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever。〃 Rom。 5：1； Isa。 32：17。
In the early morning the Saviour and His companions came to shore； and the light of the rising sun touched sea and land as with the benediction of peace。 But no sooner had they stepped upon the beach than their eyes were greeted by a sight more terrible than the fury of the tempest。 From some hiding place among the tombs； two madmen rushed upon them as if to tear them in pieces。 Hanging about these men were parts of chains which they had broken in escaping from confinement。 Their flesh was torn and bleeding where they had cut themselves with sharp stones。 Their eyes glared out from their long and matted hair； the very likeness of humanity seemed to have been blotted out by the demons that possessed them； and they looked more like wild beasts than like men。
The disciples and their companions fled in terror； but presently they noticed that Jesus was not with them； and they turned to look for Him。 He was standing where they had left Him。 He who had stilled the tempest； who had before met Satan and conquered him； did not flee before these demons。 When the men； gnashing their teeth； and foaming at the mouth； approached Him； Jesus raised that hand which had beckoned the waves to rest； and the men could come no nearer。 They stood raging but helpless before Him。
With authority He bade the unclean spirits come out of them。 His words penetrated the darkened minds of the unfortunate men。 They
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realized dimly that One was near who could save them from the tormenting demons。 They fell at the Saviour's feet to worship Him； but when their lips were opened to entreat His mercy； the demons spoke through them； crying vehemently； 〃What have I to do with Thee； Jesus； Thou Son of God most high？ I beseech Thee； torment me not。〃
Jesus asked； 〃What is thy name？〃 And the answer was； 〃My name is Legion： for we are many。〃 Using the afflicted men as mediums of communication； they besought Jesus not to send them out of the country。 Upon a mountainside not far distant a great herd of swine was feeding。 Into these the demons asked to be allowed to enter； and Jesus suffered them。 Immediately a panic seized the herd。 They rushed madly down the cliff； and； unable to check themselves upon the shore； plunged into the lake； and perished。
Meanwhile a marvelous change had come over the demoniacs。 Light had shone into their minds。 Their eyes beamed with intelligence。 The countenances； so long deformed into the image of Satan； became suddenly mild； the bloodstained hands were quiet； and with glad voices the men praised God for their deliverance。
From the cliff the keepers of the swine had seen all that had occurred； and they hurried away to publish the news to their employers and to all the people。 In fear and amazement the whole population flocked to meet Jesus。 The two demoniacs had been the terror of the country。 No one had been safe to pass the place where they were； for they would rush upon every traveler with the fury of demons。 Now these men were clothed and in their right mind； sitting at the feet of Jesus； listening to His words； and glorifying the name of Him who had made them whole。 But the people who beheld this wonderful scene did not rejoice。 The loss of the swine seemed to them of greater moment than the deliverance of these captives of Satan。
It was in mercy to the owners of the swine that this loss had been permitted to come upon them。 They were absorbed in earthly things； and cared not for the great interests of spiritual life。 Jesus desired to break the spell of selfish indifference； that they might accept His grace。
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But regret and indignation for their temporal loss blinded their eyes to the Saviour's mercy。
The manifestation of supernatural power aroused the superstitions of the people； and excited their fears。 Further calamities might follow from having this Stranger among them。 They apprehended financial ruin； and determined to be freed from His presence。 Those who had crossed the lake with Jesus told of all that had happened on the preceding night； of their peril in the tempest； and how the wind and the sea had been stilled。 But their words were without effect。 In terror the people thronged about Jesus； beseeching Him to depart from them； and He complied； taking ship at once for the opposite shore。
The people of Gergesa had before them the living evidence of Christ's power and mercy。 They saw the men who had been restored to reason； but they were so fearful of endangering their earthly interests that He who had vanquished the prince of darkness before their eyes was treated as an intruder； and the Gift of heaven was turned from their doors。 We have not the opportunity of turning from the person of Christ as had the Gergesenes； but still there are many who refuse to obey His word； because obedience would involve the sacrifice of some worldly interest。 Lest His presence shall cause them pecuniary loss； many reject His grace； and drive His Spirit from them。
But far different was the feeling of the restored demoniacs。 They desired the company of their deliverer。 In His presence they felt secure from the demons that had tormented their lives and wasted their manhood。 As Jesus was about to enter the boat； they kept close to His side； knelt at His feet； and begged Him to keep them near Him； where they might ever listen to His words。 But Jesus bade them go home and tell what great things the Lord had done for them。
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 Saviour。 Great difficulties were sure to beset them in association with their heathen countrymen。 And their long isolation from society seemed to have disqualified them for the work He had indicated。 But as soon as Jesus pointed out their duty they were ready to obey。 Not only did they tell their own households and neighbors about Jesus； but they went throughout Decapolis； everywhere declaring His power to save； and describing how He had freed them from the demons。 In doing this work they could receive a greater
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blessing than if； merely for benefit to themselves； they had remained in His presence。 It is in working to spread the good news of salvation that we are brought near to the Saviour。
The two restored demoniacs were the first missionaries whom Christ sent to preach the gos
