Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 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, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 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.
This is a familiar story.
Jesus walking on water and calming the storm.
But there is more going on here. Look at Jesus, and the disciples.
Jesus is concerned for the disciples. He sends them away while he dismisses the crowd. Dismissing a crowd is not easy. Remember, Jesus was taking the disciples to get some rest, but those "shepherdess sheep" arrived. Jesus multiplies the bread and the dish and fed the large crowd.
Now, Jesus basically tells the disciples:
“You guys get in that boat and go. You need a break; I’ll take care of the crowd and catch up with you.”
Part of it is, get some rest in the boat.
Take some time to reflect on what has happened here.
Note that when Jesus leads, he serves.
After the disciples leave and Jesus dismisses the crowd, he goes up the mountainside to spend time with his Father in prayer. Mark doesn't tell us anything about this is time. Did he sing? What did he pray about? No commentary on this time. Here's the point. The Son requires communion with the Father. Jesus does not do things apart from the Father.
Then Mark tells us that at some point in the night, Jesus could see the disciples struggling in the boat. The wind has come up, and it's hard to make headway. Their early escape from the crowds has backfired. They are working hard trying to cross the lake.
So, Jesus now goes to them - walking on the water!
The next bit of text at first glance is confusing. It reads,
“He was about to pass by them.”
I wonder, why doesn't Jesus just walk right up to the boat, calm the sea, and helping them get to the other side?
Jesus does not barge his way into places he is not invited. He often comes near people and waits for them to ask. In this scene, the disciples are terrified, and they cry out. Maybe, this is less about Jesus, and more about the disciples. then the text says:
Then he [Jesus] climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They [the disciples] were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
The text says their hearts were hardened. It is easy to pick on them.
Let’s finish the last bit of text and then circle back.
They get to their destination. The crowd is there. Mark does not record Jesus doing any teaching. He gives us a summary of what Jesus was doing.
And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces.
Jesus kept going to villages, cities, and the countryside. He's moving around a lot. He kept putting himself near those in need.
It would be easy to get preachy and ask if we are demonstrating servant leadership, if we are spending time with the Father, and, if we are putting ourselves near those in need?
but the real question is:
- Am I living my life in a way where I know he can keep it up?
It is not whether I know the right answer to that question. Of course I do. It is more, do I live that way?
How are you doing living confidently that Jesus is with you?
Ask yourself if there are areas of your life where you need to intentionally give the concern or issue to Jesus.
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