Mark 6:45-52 (NKJV) Jesus Walks on the Sea
(Matt. 14:22–33; John 6:15–21) Crisis the disciples have
45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
V45 “Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.” Bethsaida is on the west side of the lake. Bethsaida Julias is on the east side. After feeding the 5,000+, Jesus had the disciples get into a boat. The Greek word for made is (G315) ἀναγκάζω anagkázō, which means (Vine NT) “…ananke, ‘necessity’), to constrain, whether by threat, entreaty, force, or persuasion…” Why? Some believe that the crowd was going to force Jesus to be their king as John 6:14-15. Others think that the disciples might become proud at the success, but needed to learn difficulty and hardships to depend on God.
V46 “And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.” After feeding the 5,000, Jesus wanted 3 things to be accomplished: 1) send the disciples away, 2) dismiss the crowd to go home, and 3) pray. Jesus was tired after a long day of teaching, healing, feeding, and now sending the crowd away. Even so, prayer was so important that He prayed. There is no excuse; we need to talk with God, which is prayer, and hear from God, which is God’s word, the Bible. Did we pray and read the Bible today?
V47 “Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.” After praying, Jesus, knowing the weather and situation of his disciples, started walking across the sea on the water. He was walking on the sea for a number of reasons: 1) He wanted to get to the other side, 2) He wanted the disciples to see Him, and 3) He was revealing His authority over all creation since He is the creator.
V48 “Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.” The disciples had a crisis. What are they to do? Jesus took care of the problem. As He got closer, He saw them struggling in rowing against the wind in waves. The fourth watch of the night is between our 0300 and 0600. Note how He appears to be walking right past them. They are in trouble, but He is walking by. Does He not care? Yes, He does, but He wants them to learn to call on Him for help.
V49 “And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out…” The disciples didn’t recognize Him at first and thought it was a ghost, a spirit.
V50 “…for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Everyone saw Him, but they were troubled. The Greek word for troubled is (G5015) ταράσσω tarosso, which means troubled by fear and the unknown. The parallel passage reads: Matthew 14:26 (EHV) When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified and cried out in fear, “It’s a ghost!” The word cried out means scream loudly. They were terrified. When we are troubled let us remember: John 14:27 (TCENT) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” When Jesus speaks in the midst of trouble, there will be peace.
V51 “Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.” Then He walks up to the boat, enters the boat, and then, the strong wind stops. No wonder they were not just amazed, but greatly amazed beyond description. Jesus brings peace.
V52 “For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.” They still did not have a complete understanding of who Jesus was. They are learning. He is the creator, creating food. He is the king of the universe, and commands peace.
We learn:
- Jesus’s ministry even when tired.
- Our needs.
- Our fears.
- His peace.
Questions:
- Have you prayed today?
- Do you believe Jesus is the Messiah?