Mark 6:45-56 (NIV)
45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
47 Later that night, 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. Shortly before dawn 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.
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.
53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus is not with the disciples in the boat, but shows up to help them.He notices their struggles and comes to them, walking on a lake.It’s an incredible way Jesus comes to the disciples, but this is always the way God comes to us… incredible.Incredible, not just because of how, but because it is God choosing to come to us. Not leaving us to wonder or struggle on our own, He speaks powerfully over us, “Take courage!It is I.Don’t be afraid.”
Response:
The next wind storm pushing against our hearts can become another incredible encounter with Jesus. Let’s pray that we would hear the Lord’s voice powerfully over any storm or struggle that we face.Let’s also praise and thank the Lord for who He is and the incredible love He has for us.He comes and not only brings the peace and power of His presence, but in His power and authority, silences the storm.
