May 20, 2016
A WALK ON WATER: AMUSING GIMMICK OR SOMETHING MORE?
Mark 6:45–56
Lonnie Smith
Central Truth
When the set time is come, no difficulties can obstruct the gracious "I AM" from helping and encouraging His people when they are desperate and in a time of great need.
Key Verse | Mark 6:49–51
[B]ut when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded. (Mark 6:49-51)
Mark 6:45–56
Jesus Walks on the Water
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night 1 6:48 That is, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Dive Deeper | Mark 6:45–56
Around four in the afternoon on May 2, 2015, I received "the" phone call nobody wants to get. My dear friend, sister in Christ, ministry leader, and co-laborer in God's service was tragically and unexpectedly now "gone." A beautiful, sunny afternoon in May suddenly turned dark, and it felt as though angry waves were violently crushing my soul. In that moment, what I needed more than anything was for my Savior to find His way through my tempestuous sea and bring calm and peace in my distress.
In today's passage, Jesus, from a mountain by the shore, notices the disciples struggling to make headway against the winds on the sea. He watched as they floundered against the waves in their boat in the darkness (between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.). Can you imagine how the disciples felt? Darkness, windy storm on the sea, and no Jesus! And then it happened. Jesus came to the disciples, demonstrating His power over gravity (walking on the sea), as well as His mastery over nature (the wind died down). One thing we must not miss in this miracle: Jesus cares for His disciples! They saw the face of God in the face of His Son. He is the Savior who brings calm and deliverance.
The same Savior of today's passage who met the disciples and got into their boat, met me on May 2, 2015, and got into my boat. In that horrible moment I was experiencing, I realized that the love and power of Christ was present, leading me through troubled waters. His reassuring presence with us in any storm is enough to make us be of good cheer. Meditate again and again on the words of Jesus in verse 50, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." Hear Him say, "I will show you that in the dark or in a storm, I will not let anything separate you from Me. I will walk on water to be with you. I will do whatever it takes to be near you. I will be in your boat when you need Me."
Discussion Questions
1. If you were asked to explain in a sentence or two who Jesus is, what would be the most important characteristics or truths you would want to include?
2. After you have identified the characteristics/truths in Question 1, formulate a brief statement to remind yourself today of what's true about Jesus. Simply fill in the blank: Jesus is _____________________________________________________.
3. When was the last time you were overcome with awe and wonder for Jesus? Has Jesus led you through troubled waters? How did you respond?
4. Identify an area in your life in which your faith has helped you overcome a particular storm or crisis. How were you able to connect your faith to that situation?