Title: Jesus Walking on Water / Mark 6:45-46
Contents Jesus walking on water / Mark 6:45-46
We looked at the story of this text in Matthew 14:22 and below. However, the article about Peter mentioned there is omitted here. So let's take a look at the text below.
I. The crowds disperse. With the intention of following them, Christ "hurried the disciples ... to sail ahead and go to the other side of Bethsaida". People did not like to be scattered. Therefore, a considerable amount of time and labor had to be wasted in sending them back. They would not easily leave Christ because they had now had a good supper. As long as we live in this world, we cannot continue our fellowship with Christ forever. The eternal feast to be enjoyed with Christ is possible only in the future kingdom.
II. Christ "goes to the mountain to pray, after saying farewell to the multitude."
1. Christ prayed. Although Christ preached many sermons to those who came to Him, He also prayed a lot. Jesus prayed often and prayed long. It is a great encouragement to us to rely on the unceasing intercessory prayers of which Christ is interceding for us at the right hand of God.
Ⅲ. The disciples were in distress at sea. “Because the wind is against it” (verse 48). The disciples tried rowing hard, but they could not move forward. This could be a foreshadowing of the hardships to be expected when they are later sent out by Christ everywhere to preach the gospel. It would be like sending them against the wind at this time. They must labor to row against this headwind. They have to work hard to fight the mighty waves. They had to be prepared to hit the waves of persecution by their enemies. By sending them through such afflictions of headwinds, Jesus intended to train them for them so that they could endure them. The church is often like a boat on the sea, "with waves over it" and "not comforted." Even when we have Christ, the winds and waves can come against us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . But it is a comfort to the disciples of Christ, because the Lord is interceding for them on the holy mountain.
IV. Christ walked on the water and visited them. Christ could have measured the strength of the winds where He was and sent an angel to rescue them. But Christ was trying to care for them, choosing the best way to show the affection of love possible. Therefore, you yourself have walked to them.
1. Jesus did not come to them until “about four nights,” that is, three o'clock in the morning. But it was only at that time that he came to them. Although the visitation of Christ to his people may be delayed for a long time, at last he will come. And their climax is the most appropriate opportunity for Christ to visit them. Although salvation may be delayed, we must wait for it. "The fourth watch of the night," that is, "The end is coming quickly, and you will not lie. Wait though it be delayed. It will surely come" (Hab 2:3).
2. Christ came on foot on the water. There was a strong storm in the sea now. But Christ came to them walking on the water. Because "the power of the LORD on high is... greater than the great waves of the sea" (Psalm 93:4). When the appointed time has come, no difficulty can hinder the grace of Christ shown to his people. Christ will come in the midst of the turbulent waves to save them (Psalm 42:7).
3. Christ “was about to pass”, which means that Jesus did not look at them, but turned his face away, as if to go further. And it does so to awaken them to call upon you. Although God is providing salvation directly in His plan to save His people from tribulation, there are times when it seems that he ignores them and seems to be indifferent to their case. The disciples thought that Jesus was “going to pass,” but Jesus never meant to pass by.
4. When the disciples saw Jesus, they thought he was a ghost and were afraid. “When they saw Jesus, they were all amazed” (verse 50). They were surprised to think that it was a devil or an evil spirit that haunted them and caused winds. We often perceive as ghosts appearing in our own fantasies and fantasies, bewildered and fearful.
5. Christ, by making Himself known to them, lifted their spirits and calmed their fears. Christ said to them very tenderly, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
(1) We do not know Christ until He reveals Himself to us. "Nani, do not be afraid." These words mean, "I am. I am your Lord. I am your friend. I am your Redeemer and Savior. And I am the one who came to this afflicted earth and now came to the raging seas to care for you."
(2) This knowledge of Christ, that Christ Himself is near to us, can give His disciples ample reassurance in the midst of storms, and no more fear. "If so, then why should I be so afraid?" The last day Christ is with you "Take it easy, do not be afraid." If we turn our faults, especially our transgressions concerning Christ, our fears will soon disappear. See Genesis 21:19 and 2 Kings 6:15ff.
(3) If Christ is with us even on the dreadful days of storms, we can be at peace even though dark clouds and darkness come upon us. Christ said, "I am." He didn't say who you are. They could recognize the Lord's voice as a sheep recognizes their shepherd's voice (John 10:4). In the Song of Songs, the bride repeatedly said without hesitation, "This is the voice of the one I love!" (Song 2:8; 5:2). In the original language that Christ spoke, it is expressed as "e, gw, evi, mi", and if translated as it is, it can be expressed as "I am he or I am". These words were also expressed as God's name when He was trying to save the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 3:14). And these words became the name of Christ who came to save his disciples now. When Christ said "I am" to those who came out to take Him by force, they withdrew and fell to the ground (John 16:6). Jesus said to those who came out to arrest him because of faith, "Know that I am he", and they believed in him and were comforted by these words (John 8:28-30).
6. Christ “getted into the boat and went to them.” He got into the boat they were in and made them comfortable. When they came to serve the Lord, everything went well. “As soon as Jesus got into the boat and went to them,” “the wind ceased”. In the storm in which they were distressed before this, "Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Be still, be still." However, there was no such ceremonial command here, but the wind suddenly stopped. Our Lord Jesus can do his work effectively, even if he does not always follow the same formalities and observations. Even though we have not listened to Christ's command, the wind has thus ceased and we are comforted by such stillness. It is because Christ was in the boat, and the command of Christ was given "unwittingly" (Song 6:12). When we reach heaven like Christ, the wind will soon cease. There is no wind in that high place.