Mark 6:45-52

He Left To Pray

Jesus left the multitudes that he had just fed to pray in a secluded place. He sent the disciples ahead of him to go to Bethsaida. Jesus needed time alone with the Father. He would be refreshed and get the ministry instructions for Bethsaida. John 5:19

John 5:19 NASB95

Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

John 8:28 NASB95

So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.

Jesus needed time with the Father to discern His will and engage in His purposes. He sought the instruction of the Father. Just as Jesus needed time with the Father, so do we. Often times our time with the Father is spent telling Him what we want instead of asking what He wants.

This can breed a spirit of selfishness. We will sometimes base our relationship with God on how He answers our prayers. For example, when He answers our prayers as we think He should then we would say our relationship with the Lord is strong. However if the Lord is not answering our prayers like we think He should we will get upset and think the Lord doesn’t care. This is wrong thinking!

Right thinking is just the opposite. To the degree that we know the will of the Lord and are doing it will determine the level of intimacy that we have with the Lord. Matt. 12:50

Matthew 12:50 NASB95

“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

Jesus spent time with the Father to build intimacy and get instructions for His ministry in Bethsaida. We too need to spend time with the Father to build intimacy and get discernment for our calling and ministry.

The Disciples Struggled

The disciples had started in the early evening to go across the sea. It was only a four mile journey. Being that they were fishermen, this should have been a breeze of a trip. However they found this trip most difficult because the winds were blowing against them.

We also see that it is taking them a long time to travel a short distance. This is evidenced by Jesus coming to them at the fourth watch of the night. This is around 3:00AM-6:00 AM. They started out before sunset. This means they had been struggling for a while.

Though they were not in any danger, Jesus saw their struggle and came to them walking on the water.

There will be times where the Lord will send us into the struggle. It will be rough and we will get tired. We must not forget that the Lord sees our struggle and is coming. However it may not be until the fourth watch of the night. This means the last minute.

However when He comes He will be walking on water. This means that He will come to you in such a way that you know that it is him.

He Intended To Pass By Them.

Jesus was going to pass by them and meet them on the other side, however when He saw their struggle, He stopped to help them.

When the disciples saw Jesus they thought He was a ghost. Jesus spoke to them. Mark 6:50

Mark 6:50 NASB95

for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.”

This is the same thing He will say to us when we are in our times of trouble. Heb. 13:5-6

Hebrews 13:5–6 NASB95

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”

Jesus will be with us in our most critical times. We must have faith in Him during these times.

Jesus got on the boat and stopped the wind and the disciples were astonished. When we allow Jesus to get into the boat of our lives, the winds of struggle will dissipate and we to will be astonished.

Jesus Had to Heal Their Hard Hearts

Matthews account of this adds a part of the story that Mark doesn’t. I feel that it is necessary to share this to reveal the disciples hard heart. Matt. 14:28-33

Matthew 14:28–33 NASB95

Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”

Peter asked the Lord to let him come to Him if it was Him. Jesus permitted him, but when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the winds he began to sink. Jesus told him that he had little faith.

It is little faith that creates a hard heart. Followers of Christ must have faith in the Bible. They must believe it and live it. The must trust in the promises of Christ in the instructions He gives.