The Desire of Ages
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 35: "Peace, Be Still"
This chapter is based on Matt. 8;23-34; Mark 4:35-41;
5:1-20; Luke 8:22-39.
It had been an eventful day in the life of Jesus. Beside the
Sea of Galilee He had spoken His first parables, by familiar illustrations
again explaining to the people the nature of His kingdom and the manner in
which it was to be established. He had likened His own work to that of the
sower; the development of His kingdom to the growth of the mustard seed and the
effect of leaven in the measure of meal. The great final separation of the
righteous and the wicked He had pictured in the parables of the wheat and tares
and the fishing net. The exceeding preciousness of the truths He taught had
been illustrated by the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, while in
the parable of the householder He taught His disciples how they were to labor
as His representatives. {DA
333.1}
All day He had been teaching and healing; and as evening
came on the crowds still pressed upon Him. Day after day He had ministered to
them, scarcely pausing for food or rest. The malicious criticism and
misrepresentation with which the Pharisees constantly pursued Him made His
labors much more severe and harassing; and now the close of the day found Him so
utterly wearied that He determined to seek retirement in some solitary place
across the lake. {DA
333.2}
The eastern shore of Gennesaret was not uninhabited, for
there were towns here and there beside the lake; yet it was a desolate region
when [334]
compared with the western side. It contained a population more heathen than
Jewish, and had little communication with Galilee. Thus it offered Jesus the
seclusion He sought, and He now bade His disciples accompany Him thither. {DA 333.3}
After He had dismissed the multitude, they took Him, even
"as He was," into the boat, and hastily set off. But they were not to
depart alone. There were other fishing boats lying near the shore, and these
were quickly crowded with people who followed Jesus, eager still to see and
hear Him. {DA 334.1}
The Saviour was at last relieved from the pressure of the
multitude, and, overcome with weariness and hunger, He lay down in the stern of
the boat, and soon fell asleep. The evening had been calm and pleasant, and
quiet rested upon the lake; but suddenly darkness overspread the sky, the wind
swept wildly down the mountain gorges along the eastern shore, and a fierce
tempest burst upon the lake. {DA
334.2}
The sun had set, and the blackness of night settled down
upon the stormy sea. The waves, lashed into fury by the howling winds, dashed
fiercely over the disciples' boat, and threatened to engulf it. Those hardy
fishermen had spent their lives upon the lake, and had guided their craft
safely through many a storm; but now their strength and skill availed nothing.
They were helpless in the grasp of the tempest, and hope failed them as they
saw that their boat was filling. {DA 334.3}
Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had
forgotten that Jesus was on board. Now, seeing their labor vain and only death
before them, they remembered at whose command they had set out to cross the
sea. In Jesus was their only hope. In their helplessness and despair they
cried, "Master, Master!" But the dense darkness hid Him from their sight.
Their voices were drowned by the roaring of the tempest, and there was no
reply. Doubt and fear assailed them. Had Jesus forsaken them? Was He who had
conquered disease and demons, and even death, powerless to help His disciples
now? Was He unmindful of them in their distress? {DA 334.4}
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. {DA 334.5}
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? [335]
{DA 334.6}
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." {DA
335.1}
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." {DA 335.2}
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. {DA 335.3}
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?" [336] {DA 335.4}
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 faith—faith in
God's love and care—that Jesus rested, and the power of that word
which stilled the storm was the power of God. {DA 336.1}
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. {DA 336.2}
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. {DA 336.3}
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."
Isaiah 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; [337] so He
bringeth them unto their desired haven." Psalm 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." Romans 5:1; Isaiah 32:17. {DA 336.4}
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. {DA 337.1}
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. {DA 337.2}
With authority He bade the unclean spirits come out of them.
His words penetrated the darkened minds of the unfortunate men. They [338]
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." {DA 337.3}
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.
{DA 338.1}
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. {DA
338.2}
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. {DA 338.3}
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. [339]
But regret and indignation for their temporal loss blinded their eyes to the
Saviour's mercy. {DA
338.4}
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. {DA 339.1}
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. {DA 339.2}
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. {DA 339.3}
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 [340]
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. {DA
339.4}
The two restored demoniacs were the first missionaries whom
Christ sent to preach the gospel in the region of Decapolis. For a few moments
only these men had been privileged to hear the teachings of Christ. Not one
sermon from His lips had ever fallen upon their ears. They could not instruct
the people as the disciples who had been daily with Christ were able to do. But
they bore in their own persons the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. They
could tell what they knew; what they themselves 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. John, the beloved disciple, wrote: "That
which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our
eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of
life; . . . that which we have seen and heard declare we unto
you." 1 John 1:1-3. As witnesses for Christ, we are to tell what we know,
what we ourselves have seen and heard and felt. If we have been following Jesus
step by step, we shall have something right to the point to tell concerning the
way in which He has led us. We can tell how we have tested His promise, and
found the promise true. We can bear witness to what we have known of the grace
of Christ. This is the witness for which our Lord calls, and for want of which
the world is perishing. {DA
340.1}
Though the people of Gergesa had not received Jesus, He did
not leave them to the darkness they had chosen. When they bade Him depart from
them, they had not heard His words. They were ignorant of that which they were
rejecting. Therefore He again sent the light to them, and by those to whom they
would not refuse to listen. {DA
340.2}
In causing the destruction of the swine, it was Satan's
purpose to turn the people away from the Saviour, and prevent the preaching of
the gospel in that region. But this very occurrence roused the whole country as
nothing else could have done, and directed attention to Christ. Though the
Saviour Himself departed, the men whom He had healed remained as witnesses to
His power. Those who had been mediums of the prince of darkness became channels
of light, messengers of the Son of God. Men marveled as they listened to the
wondrous news. A door was opened to the gospel throughout that region. When
Jesus returned to Decapolis, the people flocked about Him, and for three [341]
days, not merely the inhabitants of one town, but thousands from all the
surrounding region, heard the message of salvation. Even the power of demons is
under the control of our Saviour, and the working of evil is overruled for
good. {DA 340.3}
The encounter with the demoniacs of Gergesa had a lesson for
the disciples. It showed the depths of degradation to which Satan is seeking to
drag the whole human race, and the mission of Christ to set men free from his
power. Those wretched beings, dwelling in the place of graves, possessed by
demons, in bondage to uncontrolled passions and loathsome lusts, represent what
humanity would become if given up to satanic jurisdiction. Satan's influence is
constantly exerted upon men to distract the senses, control the mind for evil,
and incite to violence and crime. He weakens the body, darkens the intellect,
and debases the soul. Whenever men reject the Saviour's invitation, they are
yielding themselves to Satan. Multitudes in every department in life, in the
home, in business, and even in the church, are doing this today. It is because
of this that violence and crime have overspread the earth, and moral darkness,
like the pall of death, enshrouds the habitations of men. Through his specious
temptations Satan leads men to worse and worse evils, till utter depravity and
ruin are the result. The only safeguard against his power is found in the
presence of Jesus. Before men and angels Satan has been revealed as man's enemy
and destroyer; Christ, as man's friend and deliverer. His Spirit will develop
in man all that will ennoble the character and dignify the nature. It will
build man up for the glory of God in body and soul and spirit. "For God
hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound
mind." 2 Timothy 1:7. He has called us "to the obtaining of the
glory"—character—"of our Lord Jesus Christ;"
has called us to be "conformed to the image of His Son." 2
Thessalonians 2:14; Romans 8:29. {DA 341.1}
And souls that have been degraded into instruments of Satan
are still through the power of Christ transformed into messengers of
righteousness, and sent forth by the Son of God to tell what "great things
the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." {DA 341.2}
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"The Touch of Faith"
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