Mark 6: 45-52….A path on the sea.

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but 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, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Comment: Mark’s record of the Gospel of Jesus is the shortest of the four the records of Jesus’ time on earth in the Bible. If you want to look at this story for a more complete picture you might look up Matthew ch14 v 23 .. and/or John ch6 v 16. It is not mentioned in Luke’s account.

Jesus had told the disciples to go in the boat while He had a time of prayer. He needed to pray, so do we. Apparently He didn’t keep His eyes closed all the time as He prayed because He saw what was happening on the lake and came to them. This lake is about 43 metres deep although obviously the bottom is not a level plane. There was a storm and the boat with the disciples were having a rough time. They were made doubly afraid when in the midst of the storm they saw a figure walking on the water. I don’t know how I would have handled it but they were terrified. ‘This can’t be real, it must be a ghost’, they thought. Jesus spoke to them and cleared up the matter of it being Him and not a ghost. Matthew gives a bit extra information. Peter, having checked that it was with permission, got out of the boat to walk to Jesus. His faith was overcome by the storm and he began to sink until Jesus took Him in hand and they both got into the boat. As if that wasn’t enough, as they got into the boat, the storm stopped! The bread and fish matter of the day before hadn’t fully dawned in their understanding leading to them to know Him for Whom He rally was. They were astounded whereas it would have been more fitting to be worshipping the Lord and Controller of Creation!

Prayer: You are amazing, Lord Jesus. Let not the skepticism of our age dim Your Glory in my eyes.