We all know our own storms: worries, feeling overwhelmed, fears, and situations we can no longer control. Often, we try to fight them on our own at first—until we realize we’ve reached our limits. The story of Jesus on the stormy sea shows: True peace does not depend on the storm stopping immediately. What matters is whom we trust when the waves crash down upon us. By Kai Mester

Reading time: 14 minutes

Jesus had had an eventful day. On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he had told his first parables, once again explaining to the people—using familiar images—the nature of his kingdom and how it would come to be.

He had been teaching and healing all day, and as evening approached, the crowd was still pressing in on him. Day after day, he had served them, barely taking a break to eat or rest. The scathing criticism and misrepresentations with which the Pharisees constantly hounded him made his work even more exhausting and burdensome. Now, at the end of the day, he was utterly exhausted. Therefore, he wanted to retreat to a secluded spot on the other shore of the lake.

The eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee was not uninhabited. But compared to the western shore, it was a secluded area. Most of the inhabitants were not Jewish and had little contact with Galilee. This offered Jesus the seclusion he was seeking. So he asked his disciples to accompany him there.

The Journey to the Other Shore

After he had sent the crowd home, they took him straight into the boat and set off in a hurry. But they were not to set out alone. There were other fishing boats moored at the shore, into which the people who were following him quickly crowded. For they were eager to hear more from him.

The Savior was now relieved to have finally escaped the crowd’s pressure. Overwhelmed by fatigue and hunger, he lay down in the stern of the boat and fell asleep shortly thereafter. The evening was calm and mild; the lake lay still. But suddenly dark clouds gathered in the sky, the wind swept fiercely down through the gorges on the eastern shore, and a violent storm broke out over the lake.

In the midst of the storm

The sun had set, and black night descended upon the stormy lake. Whipped by the howling wind, the waves swept furiously over the disciples’ boat, threatening to engulf it. These hardened fishermen had spent their lives on the lake and had safely steered their vessel through many a storm; but now their strength and skill were in vain: they were helplessly at the mercy of the storm. Their hope faded as they watched the boat fill with water.

Completely absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten that Jesus was on board. When they realized that their efforts were getting them nowhere, and they saw only death ahead, they remembered whose command had actually led them to make this crossing. Jesus was now their only hope. Helpless and desperate, they cried out, “Master, Master!” But the thick darkness hid him from their sight. Their voices were drowned out by the roaring storm. – No answer! Doubt and fear gripped them. Had Jesus abandoned them? Was he—who had conquered sickness, demons, and even death—powerless, or was he indifferent to their plight?

They called out again, but all they heard was the howling of the furious gales. Their boat was already beginning to sink. Just a moment more, and the ravenous waves would swallow them up.

Jesus Calms the Storm

Suddenly, a flash of lightning pierces the darkness, and they see Jesus lying there, calm and asleep. Astonished and desperate, they cry out, “Master, don’t you care if we perish?” How can he rest so peacefully while we are in danger and struggling with death? Their cries awaken Jesus. As a blinding flash of lightning illuminates him, they see heavenly peace in his face and read selfless, warm-hearted love in his gaze. Then their hearts turn to him: “Lord, save us! We’re going under!”

Never before has such a cry for help gone unheard. As the disciples grasp their oars for one last effort, Jesus rises. He stands in the midst of his disciples while the storm rages, the waves crash over them, and the lightning illuminates his face. He raises the hand that has so often performed acts of mercy and says to the foaming lake, “Be still!”

The storm subsides. The waves calm down. The clouds disperse, and the stars come out. The boat rests on the still lake. Then Jesus turns to his disciples and asks sadly, “Why are you afraid? Do you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

The disciples were speechless. Even Peter was silent in amazement. The boats that had accompanied Jesus and the disciples had been in the same danger. Terror and despair had seized all those on board; yet Jesus’ command brought peace amid the chaos. The raging storm had driven the boats toward one another, so that everyone witnessed the miracle. In the silence that followed, the fear was forgotten. The people whispered to one another, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

No Fear!

When Jesus awoke to face the storm, he was completely at peace. There was no trace of fear to be found in his words or his gaze, because there was no fear in his heart either. But he did not rest in the possession of omnipotence, not as lord of the earth, the sea, and the heavens. He had laid aside that power, for he says, “I can do nothing on my own.” (John 5:30) He trusted in the Father’s power. Jesus rested in faith—in faith in God’s love and care. The power that calmed the storm was God’s power.

In the same way, we too may rest in the care of our Savior. If the disciples had trusted him, their peace would not have been disturbed. Their fear in the crisis revealed their unbelief. In their effort to save themselves, they forgot Jesus; only when they despaired of themselves did they turn to him for help.

How often do we experience the same thing! When the storm of temptation brews and the bright lightning flashes, when the waves wash over us, we struggle alone against the storm and forget that there is someone who can help us. We trust in our own strength until hope fades and we are on the brink of ruin. Then we think of Jesus, and when we seek salvation in him, our cry is not in vain. Although he sadly rebukes our unbelief and self-reliance, he always grants us the help we need. Neither on land nor at sea do we need to be afraid when the Savior is in our hearts. Living faith in the Savior calms the waves of life and thus delivers us from danger in the way He deems best.

In the Storm of Emotions

Yet another spiritual lesson is hidden in this miracle of the calming of the storm. Everyone has experienced how true the Scripture is: “‘The wicked … are like the turbulent sea, which can never be still, but constantly stirs up dirt and mud. ‘There is no peace for the wicked,’ says my God.” (Isaiah 57:20–21, New Life) Sin has disrupted our peace. An unbridled ego finds no rest. No one can get a handle on the domineering passions of the heart. Here we are just as helpless as the disciples on the storm-tossed sea.

Yet the One who calmed the waves of Galilee with His word has also spoken words of peace to every person. No matter how fierce the storm may be, whoever turns to Jesus and cries out, “Lord, save us!” will be set free. His grace reconciles the heart to God and stills the storm of human emotions. In His love, the heart finds rest.

“He stilled the storm so that it ceased, and the waves subsided; and they rejoiced that they had come to rest; and He led them into the harbor they longed for.” (Psalm 107:29–30) “Since we have now been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1, Luther 84) “Righteousness brings peace; it brings rest and security forever.” (Isaiah 32:17, New Life)

The Demoniac of Gerasa

Early in the morning, the Savior and his companions landed on the shore. The light of the rising sun bathed the lake and the landscape in a peaceful glow. But no sooner had they set foot on land than they were met with a sight even more terrifying than the raging storm. From some hiding place among the tombs, two madmen rushed toward them as if to tear them to pieces. They were still bound by chains they had torn apart in their attempt to escape from their prison. Their flesh was torn and bleeding where they had cut themselves with sharp stones. Their eyes stared out from beneath long, matted hair. It was as if the demons had robbed them of their last vestiges of humanity: they resembled wild animals more than anything.

The disciples and their companions fled in horror, but soon realized that Jesus was not following them and looked back. He was standing where they had left him. He had calmed the storm, confronted Satan, and defeated him. Why would he flee from these demons? As the men approached him, gnashing their teeth and foaming at the mouth, Jesus raised the hand that had commanded the waves, and the men could not come any closer. They stood before him, raging but helpless.

With authority, he commanded the unclean spirits to come out. His words pierced the darkened minds of the unfortunate men. They realized that someone was near who could set them free. They fell reverently at the Savior’s feet; but as their lips parted to implore His mercy, the demons spoke through them and cried out loudly: “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.”

My name is Legion

Jesus asked, “What is your name?” The answer was, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” The demons used the tormented men as mediums and begged Jesus not to send them out of the country. On a nearby mountainside, a herd of pigs was rooting around. The demons begged Jesus to let them enter the pigs. Jesus allowed them to do so. Immediately, panic seized the herd. They raced down the slope as if possessed, could not stop at the shore, plunged into the lake, and drowned.

Meanwhile, a miraculous transformation had taken place in the possessed men. Their minds were enlightened, and reason shone from their eyes. Their faces, which had so long reflected the image of Satan, suddenly became gentle, and their bloodstained hands grew still. With joyful voices, they praised God for their deliverance.

Fear of Salvation?

From the hillside, the swineherders had watched everything and hurried away to bring the news to their masters and their people. Filled with fear and amazement, the entire population streamed out to meet Jesus. The two possessed men had been the terror of the region. No one could pass through their town safely, for they would attack every traveler with demonic fury. Now these men were clothed and completely normal. They sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to his words and praising the name of their Savior. Yet the people who witnessed this marvelous scene did not rejoice. The loss of the pigs was more important to them than the deliverance of these captives of Satan.

In fact, it was an act of mercy toward the pig owners that they were made to bear this loss. They were so preoccupied with earthly things that they had no room for the great concerns of the spiritual life. Jesus wanted to break the spell of selfish indifference so that they might accept His grace. But disappointment and outrage over this earthly loss blinded them to the Savior’s mercy.

The display of supernatural power stirred up the people’s superstition and frightened them. Further disasters might follow if this stranger remained among them. Fearing financial ruin, they decided to drive Jesus away.

Jesus’ companions then recounted everything that had happened the night before—the dangerous storm and how the wind and the sea had been calmed. But their words had no effect. Horrified, the people gathered around Jesus and begged him to leave them. He agreed and immediately boarded the boat, heading for the opposite shore.

The people of Gerasa had living proof of Jesus’ power and mercy right before their eyes. They saw men who had been healed of their mental illness; yet they were so afraid for their earthly interests that they treated as an intruder the One who had defeated the prince of darkness right before their eyes. They showed this gift from heaven the door.

We do not have the opportunity to turn away from Jesus as the Gerasenes did; and yet many do not want to follow His words, because that would mean sacrificing many worldly concerns. His presence could bring them financial loss, so many reject His grace and drive away His Spirit.

The Mission

The healed possessed men felt quite differently. They wanted to stay with their Deliverer. In His presence, they felt safe from the demons. When Jesus was about to get back into the boat, they knelt at His feet and begged Him to take them with Him. But Jesus told them to go home and tell everyone what great things the LORD had done for them.

Here was a mission for them. They were to go to their Gentile homeland and tell of the blessings they had received from Jesus. It was hard for them to part from the Savior. Yet they were immediately ready to follow Jesus’ words. They not only told their families and neighbors about Jesus, but traveled throughout the entire Decapolis region, proclaiming everywhere that he has the power to save. They told how he had delivered them from the demons. Through this work, they were able to receive a greater blessing than if they had simply stayed with Him for their own benefit. Those who spread the good news of salvation draw closer to the Savior as a result.

Competent Through Personal Experience

The two healed possessed men had not heard a single sermon from Jesus. But they were able to share what they knew—what they themselves had seen, heard, and felt of Jesus’ power. Anyone whose heart has been touched by God’s grace can do this. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands—concerning the Word of Life… what we have seen and heard, we proclaim to you.” (1 John 1:1–3)

If we have followed Jesus step by step, we can share very specifically how He has guided us. We can share how we have put His promise to the test and found it to be true. The world lacks this testimony, and that is why it is perishing.

Human Dignity

The encounter with the demoniacs of Gerasa shows how deeply Satan wants to drag humanity down and that Jesus has been commissioned to free people from this power. Those wretched beings illustrated where humanity would end up if left to Satan. Satan’s influence constantly acts upon people to distract their senses, steer their thoughts toward evil, and incite them to violence and crime. He weakens the body, darkens the mind, and degrades the soul. Whenever people reject the Savior’s invitation, they surrender themselves to Satan. Countless people do this today in all areas of life—at home, at work, and even in the church. That is why violence and crime are sweeping across the earth, and moral darkness envelops human settlements like a shroud.

Through his deceptive temptations, Satan leads people into ever-worse vices, leading to a complete collapse of values and ruin. The only protection against his power lies in Jesus’ presence. Before humans and angels, Satan was exposed as the enemy and destroyer of humanity. Jesus, on the other hand, is humanity’s friend and liberator. His spirit will develop in people everything that ennobles the character and restores human dignity. It will build people up physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the glory of God.

Abridged and condensed from Ellen White, *The Desire of Ages*, 333–341; see The Life of Jesus, Chapter 35.

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