Walking on the Water Mark 6:45-52

Jesus reveals His identity so that we will recognize Him as the Lord’s Messiah

An avid duck hunter was in the market for a new bird dog. His search ended when he found a dog that could actually walk on water to retrieve a duck. Amazed by his discovery, he was sure none of his friends would ever believe him.       He decided to try and break the news to a friend of his, an eternal pessimist who steadfastly refused to be impressed by anything. In the hope that even he would be impressed by a dog that walked on water, he was invited to join the hunter and his dog on a trip into the country. However, the hunter refrained from mentioning the dog's special talent - he wanted his pessimistic friend to see for himself.       The two men and the dog made their way to a good hunting lake and as they waited by the shore, a flock of ducks flew overhead. The men fired, and a duck fell. The dog responded and jumped into the water, but, instead of sinking, it walked across the water to retrieve the bird, never getting more than its paws wet. This continued throughout the day. Each time a duck fell, the dog walked across the surface of the water to retrieve it.       The pessimist watched carefully, observing everything, but did not say a single word. Then on the drive home, the hunter finally asked his friend: "Did you notice anything unusual about my new dog?"       "Sure did," responded the pessimist. "He can't swim."

Jesus Demonstrates:

I. His Authority to Command v. 45

Tonight’s story comes in the immediate wake of the feeding of the 5,000. In fact, that miracle sets the stage for what is going to take place next

On the other side of this notable miracle, Jesus sends both the crowd and the disciples away.

While this may seem surprising, it’s an important act on the part of Jesus

John tells us that the crowd was prepared to make Jesus a king after the miracle and Jesus is preventing this thing from happening

Further, Jesus stops the disciples from taking part in this kind of activity

This is important because all of our service to Jesus ought to take place at His command

The crowd wants to do a good thing: they love Jesus (He’s filled their bellies!) and they want Him to have authority over Him

However, they want it on their terms, not His

They do not understand that His kingship is built on sacrifice and suffering and that will be the way of anyone who follows after Him

Jesus does not hesitate to command His disciples; He intends for them to live under His authority

II. His Attitude in Prayer v. 46

Next, we see His desire for prayer

There are only a few times that Mark records instances of Jesus praying, but they are always at pivotal moments

Jesus withdraws from the people and is fully engaged in communion with His Father

His pursuit of the Father in this moment ought to send a powerful signal to us

Why must we be so fervent in prayer? Why was He?

Prayer is:

Relational communion with the Father

Our source of wisdom and direction

Our source of power in serving

Our participation in spiritual battle

If prayer mattered to Jesus, it must also matter to us!

III. His Awareness of Our Needs vv. 47-48a

Third, we get a picture of what has been going on with the disciples:

They are completely obedient, having gone to their boat and making their way across Galilee at Jesus’ instruction

However, the going is difficult, because the wind is howling and they cannot make their way across

This raises a significant question that we can only touch on here:

Why would Jesus call us to a difficult obedience?

What purpose might He have in suffering?

Regardless, Mark points out something critical:

Jesus is aware of their circumstance

He “sees” what He should not be able to see with the eyes of sight, that they are struggling to make headway

Jesus is both aware of our needs and is prepared to act in a personal way to meet them; He cares for us!

300 Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon God Is like a Skillful Surgeon (Psalm 103:13; Isaiah 61:1–4)

Some kind of analogy might be suggested between our gracious God and a skillful surgeon who cuts, and cuts deeply, when he would remove a cancer from the flesh, or a physician who administers potent doses of medicine that, perhaps, cause excruciating pain. The surgeon would be too intent on the success of his operation, or the physician would watch with too much anxiety the effect of his prescription on the patient, to bestow much thought or sympathy on those present sufferings that he confidently anticipates will effect a permanent cure. So he calmly looks on, intent on the result in the future, as he ignores to some extent the anguish of the passing hour.

But I ask you not to think that it is exactly so with God. Of course, on a higher scale, he has all the wisdom of the physician, and he does view our afflictions that we now endure in the light of that hereafter when he will heal all our diseases and give unto us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Still he does not steel his heart to the immediate and the present trouble of his people, but, “As a father pities his children, so Yahweh pities those who fear him” (Ps 103:13). I can understand the surgeon looking at the patient, while causing him acute pain under the operation, with the intrepidity of a man whose nerves cannot easily be shaken. But the father must leave the room; he cannot bear it. The mother cannot look on—they are carried away with the immediate grief.

And so it is with God, although the splendor of his wisdom and his foreknowledge enables him to see the end as well as the beginning. Yet, believe me, as a father is pitying his children, so the Lord is pitying those who fear him.

IV. His Attributes of Divinity vv. 48b-50a

Next, we see Jesus do something unbelievable; He walks to them on the sea!

This miracle has a distinctive purpose:

He intends to “pass by them”

This has echoes of Moses hiding in the rock and Elijah on Mt. Carmel; God is present with them and is revealing His glory to them

However, their response is anything but celebratory

Rather than recognizing His divinity, they fear Him as a phantasm

This whole episode is, sadly, going to drive home a truth we have to reckon with, our inability to comprehend God, even as He reveals Himself to us

We do not come to the knowledge of God on our own; it is not the result of investigation or inquiry

Instead, we come to the knowledge of God through His revelatory acts

There is good news: God wants us to know who He is and how He is acting!

V. His Affection for Us v. 50b

Fifth, we see the heart of Jesus towards His disciples in this moment:

He does not express frustration or anger at their lack of understanding. Instead, He is exceptionally gracious.

His words are powerful: “Take heart; It is I. Do not be afraid.”

This message reveals two critical truths:

God is with you

God is for you

This information completely changes our perspective on everything!

VI. His Ability to Protect Us vv. 51-52

Finally, we see the impact when Jesus enters the boat:

The winds calm down and the boat is able to move again

Jesus acts and it is for our good; He removes the impediment and His work is accomplished in the lives of His people

If the loaves and fishes demonstrated the Lord’s provision, this miracle demonstrates His protection

He continually demonstrates His ability to care for us

He does it on a level that is beyond the natural means and displays His superiority over the entirety of the created order

Sadly, however, the disciples still don’t get it

On the one hand, these are good guys: they are walking with Jesus, they are obedient to Jesus, and they even are on the mission of Jesus

On the other, their hearts are hardened and they still don’t fully understand or trust who He really is!

Several months back, we were worshipping at Expedition Church in Livingston, MT. While there, we had the chance to meet folks from a sister Alabama Baptist church who were also there serving. One of the men heard we were from Wetumpka and he approached me with a question: “Are you from FBC Wetumpka?” “Clint Landry is the pastor there. He’s a friend of my friend Jeremy and they served together in Arab.” Do I know Clint Landry? I think I do! However, it was clear that He didn’t. Unfortunately, that’s the situation far too many of us find ourselves in. We know some things about the Lord, but we do not really know Him and trust Him!