Walking on Water
Text: Mark 6:45-56 | November 24, 2019
Just like the passage last week, our text this week is familiar to many. It is the account of Jesus walking on water. After feeding the massive crowd in Mark 6:35-44, Jesus sent His disciples across the Sea of Galilee (6:45). Jesus stayed by Himself to dismiss the crowd (6:45-46). While His disciples were crossing the sea, Jesus spent time alone in prayer (6:46). This voyage across the sea proved to be difficult, as they encountered a storm and strong winds blowing against them (6:48; Mt. 14:24). They strained at the oars or hours without making much progress (6:48). This time, Jesus wasn’t with them in the boat (see Mark 4:35-44 for Jesus calming the storm). However, Jesus comes to them by walking across the water (6:48).
They were terrified when they saw Him approach (6:50), supposing that they saw a ghost (6:49). Their fears were short-lived. Jesus said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid” (6:50). Mark leaves out the account of Peter walking on the water, but Matthew records it in Matthew 14:28-31. When He entered the boat with them, the wind stopped (6:51), and they immediately arrived at their destination (John 6:21). Jesus used this miracle to strengthen the faith of His disciples (6:52). When they got out of the boat, Jesus continued to demonstrate His power and compassion on the people in Gennesaret (6:53-56).
For the entirety of the lesson, please see the attached manuscript of the message.
Reflection:
- Read Matthew 14:28-31. Peter walked on the water, but frightened by the wind, he began to sink. Despite his doubt, Jesus reached out to him. We are called to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7), but we often vacillate and walk by sight. Despite our weaknesses, Jesus also reaches out to us.
- As we pray, let’s praise Him for being a merciful and compassionate God. Let’s confess our sins when we walk by sight and not by faith, and the times when we doubt. Let’s thank Him for reaching out to us despite our weaknesses. And let’s pray that our faith would be strengthened.
Question:
- Some people claim that Jesus didn’t really walk on the water. They say that He was walking on the shore. How does the response of the disciples affirm for us that Jesus walked on water? Read Mark 6:49-50.
Answer:
- The disciples were terrified (50), and thinking they saw a ghost, they cried out in fear (49). They would not have cried out in fear if Jesus was on land. Walking on land is natural, and normal people can do that; however, walking on water is unnatural. They realized that what they saw was something completely unnatural, and supposing they saw a ghost approaching their boat, they cried out in fear. Seeing someone walking on land would not elicit such a response.