422

to hurt them, and cried out for
fear. Then Jesus spoke gently to
them, and said, “It is I; be not
afraid.” The disciples knew His
voice directly ; and how glad they
were to have Him with them again!
Peter was so glad, that he said,
“Lord, if it be Thou, let me come
to Thee on the water.” Jesus
answered, “ Come;” so Peter came
down out of the ship, and walked
upon the water to go to Jesus. But
could Peter walk upon the sea as
Jesus did? Not by his own power ;
but he looked in faith to Jesus, and
Jesus enabled him to walk on
safely. But the wind was very
high, and the waves were very
rough ; and when Peter saw this,
he was afraid, and beginning to
sink, he cried “Lord, save me.”
While Peter kept his eyes on Jesus,
he was safe; but when he looked
down upon the water, he began

 

THE GENTILE WOMAN.

to sink; because then he did no}
trust himself to Jesus’ care. But
Jesus did not let Peter sink; He
put out His hand, and caught him,
saying, “O thou of little faith, why
didst Thou doubt?” Then he
brought Peter safely into the ship,
and directly they were come into
the ship, the wind ceased; and the
disciples worshipped Jesus, and said,
“Truly Thou art the Son of God.”

Jesus can take care of His people
now, as He took care of His dis.
ciples on the stormy sea. He is
with them in all their troubles
and sorrows, and they may trust
everything to Him, and never feel
afraid. But when they are in diffi-
culty, they must look in faith to
Him for help and strength, not to
themselves, nor to anything on
earth, remembering that Jesus says,
“Without me, ye can do nothing.”
John xv. 5.

 

CCLXXXVIL

yHE PENTILE Woman.

SQESUS now went to the
[S) coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
Xs] One day, as He was walk-
‘a/| ing with His disciples, a
Greek woman who lived
near, came out, and cried to Jesus,
saying, “Have mercy on me, O
Lord! My daughter ig sore vexed
with a devil.” But Jesus made her
no answer. Then the disciples said,
“Send this woman away; for she

  

“JT am sent only to the lost sheep of
Israel.” Yet still the woman would
not go away. She came nearer to
Jesus, and worshipped Him, saying;
“Tord, help me.” Then Jesus said
to her, “It is not right to take the
children’s bread, and cast it to
dogs.”

What did this mean? The Jews;
God’s chosen people, were the
“children ;” and the Gentiles were

crieth after us.” But Jesus anwered, | “the dogs;”—Jesus only meant to