The Ship of the World
G. F. Cushman, D. D. 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.… In one of the prophets we have the picture of a stately ship which is a type of the world. She is all splendour and magnificence; she walks the waters like a thing of life. The fir trees of Senir and the cedars of Lebanon have contributed to her beauty; her oars are wrought from the oaks of Bashan, her sails are of fine linen and broidered work. She has a gay and gallant crew; the multitudes who throng her decks are full of joy and thoughtless of danger. Out they sail into the great waters; her rowers bring her into the midst of the sea; and when the east wind rises she is broken in the midst, and lies a helpless wreck upon the great ocean of eternity. There was no Christ in the ship to say, "Peace, be still;" no pitying Jesus to answer the bitter cry of "Lord, save us, we perish." But not so was it with the little fisher boat. It had no pomp and vanities of which to boast, no tinselled splendour; but it carried Jesus and His fortunes — One who could rebuke the waves of sin. The world, wanting Christ, wanted all things else and was lost; the Church, with Christ in the ship, had nothing more to ask; it was sure to be saved with His "Peace, be still." (G. F. Cushman, 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."