Mark 4:35-41 And the same day, when the even was come, he said to them, Let us pass over to the other side.… Those "other little ships" gained a great deal that day from Christ's saying, "Peace be still!" which we do not discover that anybody was candid enough to acknowledge. The whole sea became tranquil, and they were saved. The world receives many unappreciated benefits from Jesus Christ's presence in the Church. Men are just so many little ships, taking entire benefit of the miracle brought from God's great love for His own. Start with the commonest gain that comes to the world through the Church. 1. See how property values are lifted by every kind of Christian effort. 2. See what the gospel does towards lifting a low and depraved neighbourhood into respectability. 3. See how it enriches education. 4. See how it elevates woman. 5. See how it alleviates sickness. There is no need of pursuing the illustration any farther.But there are just three lessons which will take force from the figure, perhaps;. and these might as well be stated. 1. Why do not men of the world recognize what the Church of Christ is doing daily and yearly for them, their wives, and their children? 2. Why do not men of the world see that the men in the "other little ships" were the safer from the storm the nearer their boats were to that Jesus was in? 3. Why do not men of the world perceive that the disciples were better off than anybody else during that awful night upon Gennesareth? Oh, that is the safest place in the universe for any troubled soul to be in — among the chosen friends of Jesus Christ the Lord, and keeping the very closest to His side! (C. S. Robinson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.WEB: On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let's go over to the other side." |
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