At one time when Jesus had entered a ship to cross the Sea of Galilee
with His disciples, a great storm arose and the waves nearly covered the
little vessel, so that they were apparently in great danger.
The disciples were frightened, but Jesus was asleep and the storm did
not disturb Him. As it grew worse and worse and the disciples became
more than ever afraid, they went back to where Jesus lay and wakened
Him, crying out, "Master, dost Thou not care that we perish?"
When they said this, Jesus arose and spoke to the winds and the sea,
saying, "Peace, be still!" Then at once the wind went down and the sea
became calm, and the hearts of the men were filled with wonder and still
greater faith and awe, while they said to one another, "What manner of
man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" They had not yet
learned that Jesus had power over all things whenever He chose to
exercise it.
At another time when the disciples had crossed the Sea of Galilee,
expecting that Jesus would join them upon the other side, a storm came
up, suddenly as before, and the waters were quickly piled up in great
waves; for the lake was narrow and deep, and the storms usually burst in
full fury with little warning, doing much harm before there was a chance
to escape. At this time the disciples had hard work to row the boat
against the wind, and it was tossed about here and there by the waves in
the middle of the sea until, toward morning, Jesus went out toward it,
walking upon the water.
When the disciples saw Him coming they thought it was a spirit and
were frightened: but He spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer; it is
I, be not afraid."
[Illustration: JESUS WALKING UPON THE WATERS.]
Then Peter said: "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the
water."
Jesus said, "Come," and Peter stepped out upon the water and started
toward the Master; but his faith was not strong enough, and as he began
to sink he cried, "Lord, save me!"
Jesus stretched out His hand and held him up. "O thou of little faith,"
He said, "wherefore didst thou doubt?"
When Jesus came into the boat the storm ceased, and soon they reached
the shore. Then the disciples worshiped Him and said, "Of a truth Thou
art the Son of God."