Read
Jesus Walks on the Water
(Mark 6.45-52; John 6.15-21)
22At once, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and start back across the lake. But he stayed until he had sent the crowds away. 23Then he went up on a mountain where he could be alone and pray. Later in the evening, he was still there.
24By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. 25A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples. 26When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.
27At once, Jesus said to them, “Don't worry! I am Jesus. Don't be afraid.”
28Peter replied, “Lord, if it really is you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
29“Come on!” Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward him.
30But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31At once, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You surely don't have much faith. Why do you doubt?”
32When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down. 33The men in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God!”
Jesus Heals Sick People
(Mark 6.53-56)
34Jesus and his disciples crossed the lake and came to shore near the town of Gennesaret. 35The people found out he was there, and they sent word to everyone who lived in this part of the country. So they brought all the sick people to Jesus. 36They begged him just to let them touch his clothes, and everyone who did was healed.
Reflect
In this passage, Jesus finally gets some time alone to pray after the beheading of his cousin, John. After dismissing the crowd and his disciples, he spent a few hours on a nearby mountainside. By the time he descended, it was past midnight and the disciples were well out into the lake and working hard because the wind was against them. As the hours passed, the waves became higher, tossing the fishing boat every which way.
Children’s Bible story books often picture the next scene with Jesus standing on the water near the boat and Peter, up to his waist in water, reaching out to him. The most common lesson drawn from this story is about faith, but now that I’ve mentioned that, let’s move on. The account continues with Jesus and Peter climbing into the boat and the storm dying down. At this, the disciples worship Jesus and acknowledge him as the Son of God.
Consider the disciples’ reaction to Jesus walking on the water, his rescue of Peter, and the calming of the wind and waves – three dramatic supernatural events compressed into perhaps as little as five minutes. This was the first time the disciples recognized Jesus as the Son of God. It took a while for this idea to become fully entrenched in their souls, but this was where it all started.
Where are you in the process of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God? Is the very idea preposterous, a possibility, likely? Have you already confessed it to be true, but still have questions? Perhaps, like the disciples in their mature years, you are absolutely convinced. What would it take to move you forward in your faith journey? Are you on the alert for faith building opportunities in your life?
Respond
Father in heaven, thank you for revealing yourself to me, even through this simple exercise of reading your word and reflecting on it every day. Help me to be aware of all the ways you draw me to yourself so that I can respond by moving toward you in faith. In Jesus name, Amen.
Ron Hughes
For 25 years, Ron Hughes served as president of FBH International, a media ministry with projects around the world. Before that he and his family were missionaries in Ecuador for 10 years, where he pioneered several media projects. He maintains a busy itinerant speaking schedule and writing ministry with an output of hundreds of radio scripts which have been translated and broadcast in a dozen languages as well as short stories, articles and three non-fiction books.