Mark 6.45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After he said good-bye to them, he went away to the mountain to pray. 47 Well into the night, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 He saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Very early in the morning he came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. 49 When they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, 52 because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.
Mark 6.53 When they had crossed over, they came to shore at Gennesaret and anchored there. Mark 6.54 As they got out of the boat, people immediately recognized him. 55 They hurried throughout that region and began to carry the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 Wherever he went, into villages, towns, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch just the end of his robe. And everyone who touched it was healed.
Jesus Went to Have Communion with His Father
The Disciples Struggled Against Headwinds
- Facing headwinds does not mean we're outside God's will
Jesus Saw the Disciples Distress
- Jesus sees you.
Jesus Revealed His Identity in the Headwinds
Jesus is the Lord Who Walks on the Waters
Job 9.8 ‘[God] alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.’
1Kings 19.11, ‘Then [God] said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the LORD’s presence.” At that moment, the LORD passed by.’
The proper framework for understanding this unusual episode is provided by the OT. There the power of the Lord over seas and rivers, storms and wind, is repeatedly proclaimed. As the creator of the sea God subdues it and treads upon the waves in demonstration of his majesty. Because he is the Lord men do not need to be afraid no matter how the sea may rage or the wind blow. Jesus’ appearance on the Sea of Galilee must be appreciated as a reality and a sign that the living God has come nearer to men in the revelation of the Son. Jesus had no intention of simply passing by his disciples in a display of enigmatic glory. His walking upon the water proclaimed that the hostility of nature against man must cease with the coming of the Lord, whose concealed majesty is unveiled in the proclamation “I am he.” (William Lane, New International Commentary on the NT)
The Disciples Didn't Recognise Jesus Because They Had Hard Hearts
The Wind Blew Them Off Track
Jesus is With Us
2Tim 2.13 “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.”
At an early date this episode was interpreted as a pledge of Christ’s aid; it provided the martyrs with the assurance of Jesus’ saving nearness to all who believe and obey him. (William Lane, NICNT)
