The stilling of the storm (Mark 6:45-56)

A number of miracles were involved in this event: Jesus walking on the water, Jesus stilling the storm, and the boat arriving on shore the instant Jesus entered it (John 6:21). It was certainly a “night of wonders” for the Twelve!

I. Why did Jesus compel His disciples to leave?

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.

A. Why Jesus compelled his disciples to leave, Mark did not say.

Probably it was to prevent them from getting involved in a messianic movement. For the same reason, he sent the crowd away. He dismissed the crowd—no small feat, considering there were at least five thousand people—and they flocked to Jesus like moths to a flame.

In John’s record of this miracle, the people tried to seize Jesus and make him their king. They had seen miracle after miracle, but none like this. They reasoned that if Jesus could feed this many people on a few pieces of bread and fish, he must be the Messiah. Jesus may have sent the disciples away to keep them from getting caught up in the middle of this nationalistic spirit regarding the Messiah.

There was another reason He wanted to teach them a lesson on faith that would help prepare them for the work that lay ahead of them after He was gone. The disciples had just completed a very successful mission, healing the sick and preaching the Gospel. They had shared in the miraculous feeding of 5,000 people. They were on a “spiritual high” and this in itself was dangerous. It is good to be on the mountaintop if you don’t get careless and step off a cliff.

B. Jesus needed to get away by himself for prayer to his Father.

Jesus again sought solitude with God He then prayed to strengthen himself against yielding to popular acclaim.

Jesus’ prayer was interrupted by his concern for his disciples. From the hill he could see the boat far below on the lake, making no headway because of the wind.

II. Jesus sets out towards them, walking on the lake.

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.

A. Jesus was about to pass by them.

Sometimes we simply have to admit our puzzlement, and make the best guess we can. The idea that he wished to reach the other side before them seems contrived, since no reason is given and no purpose would be served.

The phrase pass by them does not mean that Jesus was going to pass by and ignore his disciples in the boat. The phrase is also used in the Old Testament when God “passed by” Moses, revealing himself to him. Jesus’ appearance would serve as a reassurance to the disciples. He had sent them out on the water; he would see them through their troubles.

B. The disciples feared they were seeing a ghost.

Sailor stories about ghosts and supernatural figures were numerous. There was a Jewish superstition that ghosts seen at night foretold destruction and disaster. No wonder the disciples were afraid.

Jesus did not let them labor long in their distress. He immediately spoke a word of comfort. The disciples did not understand Jesus’ miracles. If they had understood the miracle of the feeding of the multitude, they would have understood Jesus walking on the water. They should have understood that Jesus is the Lord of creation. He had primacy over the Sabbath, the purity laws, the bread they ate, and the water upon which they sailed.

III. Even a disciple of Jesus Christ can develop a hard heart.

53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

A. Jesus Christ brings provision and protection.

If we trust Him, we will always have sufficiency and security, no matter what the situation might be. The important thing is that we trust Him. The disciples and us can develop a hard heart if we fail to respond to the spiritual lessons that must be learned in the course of life and ministry.

They had forgotten the miracle of multiplying the loaves; they had forgotten that he had calmed one storm already. Their reaction was to be completely amazed because they did not understand, even though the powers of the kingdom of God had been clearly shown.

B.The Healings at Gennesaret

On landing the boat, Jesus was met by a crowd of people bringing the sick to him for healing. Their faith was like that of the woman suffering from bleeding; they only asked to touch the edge of his cloak, for they knew and believed that he could heal them.

These people had faith and their faith was rewarded. Sometimes the simplest of Christians can see at once spiritual truths to which theologians are blind.