Jesus Walked on Water (Mark 6:45-56)
This week at Grace, we're going to be in Mark 6:45-56, a passage that includes Jesus walking on water. Like the feeding of the 5,000 from last week, this is one of those miracles that both amazes and raises our eyebrows. "Walking on water? Really? Everyone knows you can't do that." Which, of course, is entirely the point of the miracle in the first place.
What's interesting to me, though, is why Jesus walks on water. According to Mark 6, he does so because the disciples are straining at the oars of their boat, miles out to sea, making no progress. And do you know why they're out at sea? Because Jesus sent them out there.
So, what gives? Jesus saves them from something he sent them to? Why? And what does that have to do with us?
If you're getting the sense that there might be more going on in the story of the walking on water than we learned as kids in Sunday School, I think you're right. Let's dive into it together this Sunday (terrible pun, but I had to).
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
- Mark 6:45-56