THE KING’S BUSINESS
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response to the Lord’s invitation? , What sort o f a voyage do you think they would have a right to expect when they were going with Jesus and at His command? What sort o f a voyage did they really have? Would these hardy fishermen dis ciples be easily frightened? Were they frightened? Why? ’ If we are in the path o f obedience to God’s will what may we expect to encounter? Why? To whom did they go when they were convinced of the real danger that they were in ? Why did they go to Him? To whom should we go when in danger? Where was Jesus and what was He doing when they came to Him? That He. was asleep in such a storm proves that he was what, physically? What does His being so tired that He slept, prove to us concerning His human nature ? What uncalled for note o f reproach is there in the disciples’ question? Why was it uncalled for? Where had Jesus told them to go when they started? I f He said, “ Unto the other side,” what ought they to have been sure o f? (John 17:12; Phil. 1 : 6 ) . Why did the disciples say such a foolish thing to Jesus? Can we be full o f faith and full o f fear at the same time? With which should the believer be filled? With Jesus in the boat, how should they have , felt? (Isa; 26:3). What is the promise in Isa. 41:10 and in Matt. 28:20? How did Jesus deliver His disciples from this danger ? Why did He rebuke the wind and the sea, which were not living things? What is the relation of'Satan to the winds? (Eph. 2 :2 ). What did Satan, using Herod as his instrument, try to do to Jesus when He was an infant? (Matt. 2:13). What did Satan personally tempt Jesus to do? (Matt. 4 :6 ). What motive would prompt Satan to destroy Jesus when He was here on earth? / (Gen. 3:15). In the second section o f this lesson we may perhaps find another reason for Satan’s opposition on this other occasion. What light do these incidents throw upon the origin o f the storm?' What other instances can you recall when Jesus’ life
was endangered before the time for His voluntary sacrifice on the cross? What effect had Jesus’ rebuke upon the wind and the sea? Who alone has supreme power over nature? Who was Jesus, as shown by this evidence o f His power over nature? What is He going to do for nature as well as for the'human race through His redemp tive work? (Rom. 8:19-22). Are storms, earthquakes and famines a normal or abnormal condition o f nature? Why do they occur? In what tone of voice do you think Jesus spoke to the dis-' ciples, that o f anger, regret or disappoint ment? Repeat His question aloud as you think He said it. What effect upon the disciples had His stilling the storm ? Though they had faith in Jesus was it a very well-informed and intelligent faith at this period? What effect upon their faith do you suppose this deliverance had? Was the storm a good thing or a bad thing for them? What have the storms in your life' wrought for you? Did any others than the disciples profit by the miracle? (See verse 36). Are any others being blessed through your blessings ? II. Jesus Bringing Peace to the Demon Possessed Man. 5:1-20. Which side o f the sea o f Galilee was “on thè other side” on this occasion? Where abouts was the country o f the Gadarenes?, (It was on the eastern side o f the Sea of Galilee, almost directly opposite Magdala. Gadara was the capital o f Rerea, and the small places o f the district, such as Gerasa or Gergesa, might easily be included in the term, “the country o f the Gadarenes” ). What notorious character was then in that region? Where did he have his dwelling? How did he treat his own body ? How was he regarded by his neighbors? Was he a blessing or a curse to the community ?' What had brought him into this condition? What made his case seem desperate? Who came to the man’s help when he was help less? What had jesus come through in order to help Him ? Would Satan be will ing that Jesus should help the man? Why not? Has this any bearing on the reason
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