Mark 6:47-52 “When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified." NIV
Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.”
“You go on ahead… I’ll catch up!” This concept takes on a whole new meaning when Jesus comes walking on the water to them as they struggle at the oars of their boat! Jesus has sent the disciples on ahead so that He can have some time to pray. It is late at night which means He has been deep in an extended prayer time. In this place of prayer Jesus sees the struggle of His disciples. This had to be a spiritually inspired vision not natural sight due to the fact that it was so late at night and by this time the disciples would have been too far out on the lake to see their struggles in the dark of night.
Seeing their struggle Jesus is inspired to go to them. The miracle is that He does so using no boat! Jesus merely walks on the water and goes out to see His disciples. All of these happenings are very mystical and moving. The response of the disciples to seeing Jesus approach them walking on the water is distinct as at first they are not certain if this is a real person coming near or some kind of ghost or spirit. They are not just afraid… verse fifty says that they are terrified. Imagine how intense this experience must have been to leave a boat load of experienced, seasoned men terrified! A simple greeting is not enough in this instance. Jesus’ first words to His disciples are “take courage!” It is really me!
Imagine the swirl of energy and fear that must have filled that boat as the disciples go from terrified one moment to hearing the voice of Jesus the next. Then we know from the other gospels that Peter walks on water with Him for a few moments and then next Jesus climbs in the boat with them as if nothing of significance has happened and then suddenly the wind stops and the waters grow calm. These events don’t even need background music to create one of the most dramatic scenes in the bible!
All that has transpired in these few verses is thought provoking and yet the next one and a half verses contain the most fascinating statement in association with these events. Verse fifty-one ends with the phrase “they were completely amazed…” a seemingly understandable state of mind and yet verse fifty-two is almost chastising in its tone as the author of the gospel states “for they had not understood about the loaves.” The implication is that had they understood the miracle of the bread they would not have been amazed at this miracle of walking on water. Through this the author implies a clear connection between the two miracles. Multiplied bread – walking on the water – what is the connection! Dominion and authority! Jesus has demonstrated that He has all authority over the material realms. There is no limit to His rule! Water into wine… of course, bread and fish multiplied, no problem, speak to the waves and they stop, sure thing, walk on the water gladly! Jesus said in Matt 28:18 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Jesus has demonstrated throughout the course of their years with Him that His authority extends to the realms of sickness and death, creative miracles, dominion over nature and more. Their lack of full recognition of this is at times startling to Jesus as He questions why they still lack faith. What could be the reason for all this struggle to comprehend and believe? The answer is short and painful. Verse fifty-two states simply “because their hearts were hardened.” The problem is not a problem of information. It is a heart problem. Even after all that they have seen and done with the Lord their hearts are still hard. “Oh God change our hearts,” for we also have this condition. The church is desperately needing a people to arise who have hearts that believe, hearts that are tender to God and full of faith. Lord give us this kind of heart!
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