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The Sea of Galilee lies low, being, in fact, six hundred feet beneath the level of the Mediterranean, and the water-courses on its banks have cut out deep ravines which act like funnels to draw down the winds from the mountains, so that the storms are often both sudden and severe. On the present occasion the wind came down with such fury that even strong rowers like the fishermen apostles could make little way against it, and after "toiling" for nine hours they had made no more than three miles.

I. THE WAY OF DUTY IS NOT ALWAYS EASY. Even when constrained by love of Christ to undertake any particular work, we are often beset by difficulties and obstacles: no plain sailing, always breakers ahead.

II. WE MAY TAKE COMFORT TO OURSELVES FROM THE FOLLOWING FACTS;

1. We are not responsible for the "contrary wind." This takes the sting out of the trial. If a difficulty rises before me in God's Providence, apart from any agency or culpability of my own, then I am in better mood to meet and overcome it than I should be if I knew it to be the result of my own folly.

2. The attention required for bearing up against the contrary wind may take us, for the time being, out of some subtle temptation. It would seem that our Lord sent His disciples away across the lake that night to keep them out of harm's way, and to give them something more to think about than the glittering allurements of worldly greatness. Is it not often so with us? We have not been conscious of it at the moment, but we have seen afterwards that the seeming interruption kept us but of the path of danger. Better far a strong head-wind than a fog; for in the fog an iceberg may be veiled, and collision with that would be destruction.

3. The contrary wind may prepare us for higher service in the cause of Christ. In this night upon the deep the apostles had, as it were, a rehearsal of the difficulties they would have to contend with after their Master was taken up into heaven. Probably much of their persistence in the face of persecution had its root in the remembrance of what they had learned in this night's contest with adverse winds. It was one of their first experiments in walking alone, and it helped to steady them. The very necessity of rowing against the wind develops new strength, and brings latent resources into play. Had it not been for his deafness, John Kitto would probably never have become an author.

4. The Lord Jesus is closely watching us. The apostles knew not that He "saw them toiling in rowing," for it was dark. Had they known it, what new heart it would have put into them! To us this knowledge is given — that though Jesus is unseen, He is still looking down with interest upon us, and will at the right time come and succour us. So we may leave all care about the issue, and attend, meanwhile, to the rowing. Let us, then, toil on! It is but a little while at the longest. No contrary wind can last for ever. By and by Christ will come to us, and then there will be peace. Yes, and after a time we shall reach the other shore; and when we touch that, we shall be done with difficulties. So, as one said, just before entering the boat in which he lost his life, "Ho! for heaven!" What though the waves be rough? Ho! for heaven! What though the wind be contrary? Ho! for heaven! What though the labour be exhausting? Ho! for heaven!

(W. M. Taylor, D. D.)

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KJV: But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

WEB: But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.