47 When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48 Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. 49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52 for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.
Message: Jesus Walks on Water
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
Preface - Jesus comes to Nazareth and continues to teach but also experiences a little opposition from his friends and family. He sends out his disciples to teach and heal, as necessary. The message is becoming more well known. Herod Antipas, one of 4 rulers of Rome, wonders if Jesus is a resurrected John (John has previously been killed by him and that story is recounted I think partly to show us that the message of the gospel is sometimes not well received). The disciples return and report on what they have done and taught. Jesus sends them away for rest, but the people are there waiting for them, in the 1000s. Jesus teaches the people. The disciples then send them away for food, but Jesus shows the disciples how they can be fed. Jesus then puts the disciples on a boat, sends the people away, and goes to the mountain to pray.
When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. This is no accident. Jesus is once again going to teach the disciples something. Most recently, Jesus has commissioned his disciples to be witnesses and do the work of restoring lives, physically and spiritually. Yet, the disciples still have lessons to learn. In the feeding of the 5,000 to me the lesson to the disciples was "you can do it. you have my power. let me show you what that means." And now as he prepares to walk on the water, he is giving them another message.
Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. The disciples were in a boat, working together, trying simply to stay in their boat and go forth as the wind is against them. It is not a calm sea and suddenly Jesus, on the water, approaches them. There world is swirling and he is walking. They are fighting against the elements of nature and he is walking. They are in the middle of hostility and he is walking.
But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. As they saw him, they thought they were seeing a ghost. Though he has done amazing things to this point, any time he does something new they are amazed and startled and don't immediately think that it is real.
But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid. It is simple. I have not changed. Though the world and nature is crazy about and a mystery and an unknown, I have not changed. Do not be afraid.
Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped. The wind was in motion to challenge them. He was once again teaching them by putting them in this boat. He was showing them a lesson.
And they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the loaves, but their heart was hardened. See, did they learn anything from the loaves? No. Currently, though Jesus has commissioned them and wants them to share the message he has of repentance and believe, they still do not comprehend it all. They are still unsure of many things, including Jesus and his power. Yet, Jesus still wants to use them and believes they can be effective. Jesus knows that they can be used.
Summary - Jesus continues to teach the disciples, showing them that he is in control of all and wherever they go they can trust him. No matter what the experience presents itself to them, he can still be trusted. He will literally and figuratively calm whatever comes into their lives.
Promise: Just being with Jesus is not enough to create faith in our hearts. The only hope is for God to take out our hearts of stone that refuse to believe and to give us hearts of flesh that beat with faith in Christ (Ez 36:26).
Prayer: Lord, give people what they need most: new hearts. I talk to many people and they all need new hearts. Thank you for the movie I saw this weekend - I Can Only Imagine - and how Bart witnessed what you and only you could do in the life of a person. It was an amazing thing to see him experience You and have his eyes opened. Thank you for the beautiful story that I just wanted to see again and again. Keep changing hearts. Keep changing me. Give me patience and sensitivity to those that are not there - like the two Derek's in my life. Bring them to you. I wait with expectation and hope, trusting in You.
When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. This is no accident. Jesus is once again going to teach the disciples something. Most recently, Jesus has commissioned his disciples to be witnesses and do the work of restoring lives, physically and spiritually. Yet, the disciples still have lessons to learn. In the feeding of the 5,000 to me the lesson to the disciples was "you can do it. you have my power. let me show you what that means." And now as he prepares to walk on the water, he is giving them another message.
Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. The disciples were in a boat, working together, trying simply to stay in their boat and go forth as the wind is against them. It is not a calm sea and suddenly Jesus, on the water, approaches them. There world is swirling and he is walking. They are fighting against the elements of nature and he is walking. They are in the middle of hostility and he is walking.
But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. As they saw him, they thought they were seeing a ghost. Though he has done amazing things to this point, any time he does something new they are amazed and startled and don't immediately think that it is real.
But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid. It is simple. I have not changed. Though the world and nature is crazy about and a mystery and an unknown, I have not changed. Do not be afraid.
Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped. The wind was in motion to challenge them. He was once again teaching them by putting them in this boat. He was showing them a lesson.
And they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the loaves, but their heart was hardened. See, did they learn anything from the loaves? No. Currently, though Jesus has commissioned them and wants them to share the message he has of repentance and believe, they still do not comprehend it all. They are still unsure of many things, including Jesus and his power. Yet, Jesus still wants to use them and believes they can be effective. Jesus knows that they can be used.
Summary - Jesus continues to teach the disciples, showing them that he is in control of all and wherever they go they can trust him. No matter what the experience presents itself to them, he can still be trusted. He will literally and figuratively calm whatever comes into their lives.
Promise: Just being with Jesus is not enough to create faith in our hearts. The only hope is for God to take out our hearts of stone that refuse to believe and to give us hearts of flesh that beat with faith in Christ (Ez 36:26).
Prayer: Lord, give people what they need most: new hearts. I talk to many people and they all need new hearts. Thank you for the movie I saw this weekend - I Can Only Imagine - and how Bart witnessed what you and only you could do in the life of a person. It was an amazing thing to see him experience You and have his eyes opened. Thank you for the beautiful story that I just wanted to see again and again. Keep changing hearts. Keep changing me. Give me patience and sensitivity to those that are not there - like the two Derek's in my life. Bring them to you. I wait with expectation and hope, trusting in You.
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