Jesus Walks on the Water
Mark 6:45-56
Jesus Walks on the Water
45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down.They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus.55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
After dismissing the crowd, Jesus withdraws to pray. Again, Mark wants us to understand how desperate the Son is for connection to the Father.
Why do we think we’re any different?
P.S. Mark says that the disciples were amazed “for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.” What do you think they failed to understand? Why does Mark tell us this, and what does he want us to understand?
P.P.S. Don’t forget about Holy Communion at church this Wednesday, 7:00-7:20 AM. Would love to see families and kids there before school. Chick-fil-A breakfast to grab-and-go on your way out.
