47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48 And he saw them toiling in row^ ing ; for the wind was contrary unto them : and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walk- ing upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out :
50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer : it is I ; be not afraid.
51 And he went up unto them into the ship : and the wind ceased : and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
52 For they considered not the mir- acle of the loaves : for their heart was hardened.
53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesa- ret, and drew to the shore.
54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him.
55 And ran through that whole re- gion round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.
56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his gar- ment : and as many as touched him were made whole.
The event first recorded in these verses, is a beautiful emblem of the position of all believers, between the first and second advents of Jesus Christ. Like the disciples, we are now tossed to and fro by storms, and do not enjoy the visible presence of our Lord. Like the disciples, we shall see our Lord face to face again, though it may be a time of great extremity, when He returns. Like the disciples, we shall see all things changed for the better, when our Master comes to us. We shall no longer be buffeted by storms. There will be a great calm.
There is nothing fanciful in such an application of the passage. We need not doubt that there is a deep mean- ing in every step of His life, who was " God manifest in the flesh." For the present, however, let us confine our- selves to the plain, practical lessons which these verses contain.
Let us notice, in the first place, how our Lord sees the troubles of His believing people, and in due time will help
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them. We read that when " the ship was in the midst of the sea, and He alone on the land," He " saw His disciples toiling in rowing" — canie to them walking on the sea — cheered them with the gracious words, " It is I, be not afraid" — and changed the storm into a calm.
There are thoughts of comfort here for all true believ- ers. Wherever they may be, or whatsoever their circum- stances, the Lord Jesus sees them. Alone, or in company — in sickness or in health — by sea or by land — in perils in the city — in perils in the wilderness — the same eye which saw the disciples tossed on the lake, is ever looking at us. We are never beyond the reach of His care. Our way is never hid from Him. He knows the path that we take, and is still able to help. He may not come to our aid at the time we like best, but He will never allow us utterly to fail. He that walked upon the water never changes. He will always come at the right time to uphold His people. Though He tarry, let us wait patiently. Jesus sees us, and will not forsake us.
Let us notice, in the second place, the fears of the dis- ciples, when they first saw our Lord walking upon the sea. We are told that " they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out. For they all saw Him, and were afraid."
What a faithful picture of human nature we have in these words ! How many thousands in the present day^ if they had seen what the disciples saw, would have behaved in the same manner ! How few, if they were on board a ship, in a storm at midnight, and suddenly saw one walking on the water, and drawing near to the ship — how few would preserve their composure, and be altogether free from fears ! Let men laugh, if they