Mark 6:45-56

Disciples See Jesus Walking on Water

46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.

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.

53 When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore.

54 When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him,

55 and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was.

56 Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.

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This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way that we think, and the way that we live.

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Commentary by Bob Pardue

Belief - Faith, The Disciples Still Do Not Truly Believe in Jesus

Do you believe that Jesus walked on the water? How about the feeding of the 5,000 people? These miracles are difficult for us to comprehend but they happened. Why shouldn't Christ be able to perform these miracles?

The Disciples

In this lesson from Mark, the disciples saw these things with their own eyes - yet they still could not believe that Christ was the Son of God. When researching this I found three possible reasons for their doubts.

1. Belief (or lack of it) - The Son of God? The disciples did not make the connection between the miracles and the fact that Jesus was human just like them. How could He possibly do these things? - No human could!!
2. Belief - Not Good Enough? Why would the Messiah, who had been foretold for generations before them, choose ordinary fishermen, craftsmen and sinners to follow Him and become disciples? This is not consistent with the awesome ability of God in their eyes. It was beyond them and too good to be true. Another question, Why does God choose us to follow Him?
3. Faith - Taking the next step of total faith was something the disciples were unwilling or unable to do. They witnessed the miracles, they knew that Jesus had protected them many times before but these they still did not completely understand why Jesus came. And, lack of understanding sometimes is accompanied by a lack of faith.

Jesus Came to Them - And He Comes to Us

We have read about the miracles and we know the end of the story; that Christ went to the cross to die for us. Yet, many times we still have a lack of faith that He can come and work in our lives, just as He did in the lives of His disciples.

Jesus cared deeply for the disciples. So many times He uttered the words; "... do not be afraid." and helped them with their situation. But, He cares just as much for us too!

The next time we find ourselves in an overwhelming situation, remember that Jesus is there to calm our fears and to hold our hands through it all.

Let's hand over our worries, fears and frustrations to Christ, Just as He walked on the water in order to help His disciples in their time of trouble, He can help us too!

Love in Christ

- Bob

Mark 5:21-43 - Jesus Restores Life and Heals the Bleeding Woman