Mark 6:45-53

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Mark 6:45–53 ESV

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore.

Recap the Story

Jesus sends His disciples ahead by boat to Bethsaida after feeding the five thousand.

He stays behind to pray alone on the mountain.

Late at night, the disciples struggle against strong wind while rowing.

Around 3 a.m., Jesus walks on the water toward them.

The disciples are frightened, thinking He’s a ghost. (Think Phantom of the opera)

Climax of the story: Jesus says, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

He gets into the boat, and the wind immediately stops.

The disciples are amazed and confused, not fully understanding His power.

New Scene:

Imediately they are on land. where crowds recognize Jesus.

People bring the sick to Him, and He heals many.

This morning:

I want us to sit on the phase that Jesus delivers to them in their moment of fear.

Try our best to understand the weight of it. The deep rich well of meaning behind these words and thus his command.

Then give us the opportunity to pray for each other as we walk through situations that have caused us to sit in fear.

Big Idea: Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.

1: Take Heart

The phrase "take heart" is a biblical expression of encouragement found throughout the Psalms and New Testament, urging people to have courage and strength in difficult times

Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

In Scripture, it is often associated with waiting on or trusting in the Lord, rather than merely changing one's emotions.

Jesus frequently used this phrase to comfort and encourage people, such as when healing the sick or preparing his disciples for challenges.

To Take = To grab a hold of.

Come though Fount: Oh to grace how great a debtor, daily I am constraint to be. Let thy grace now like a fetter, bind my wandering hear to thee. Prone to wander Lord I feel it prone to leave the God I love…

Take heart y’all…. Jesus is in the boat

Re-position your heart in light of who Jesus is. When things are scary.

Their circumstances were scary: This was suppose to be short journey and as Mathew’s Gospel records they are lost, and have been beaten by the waves all night.

The Heart?

The biblical concept of "heart" refers to a person's true self, encompassing emotions, will, and understanding.

It is more than just emotions.

We have a metaphorical understand of the heart but to the new testament audience Jesus instruction is not simply to control their emotions but rather “to get ahold of themselves”

The picture of a life raft

The heart attends intellectually (e.g., Jer 12:11);

it also perceives (Jn 12:40), understands (1 Kgs 3:9), debates (Mk 2:6), reflects (Lk 2:19), remembers (Lk 2:51), thinks (Dt 8:17), imagines (Lk 1:51), is wise (Eccl 1:17 kjv) or mad (Eccl 9:3), has technical skill (Ex 28:3 kjv), and much more.

Emotionally, the heart experiences intoxicated merriment (1 Sm 25:36), gladness (Is 30:29), joy (Jn 16:22), sorrow (Neh 2:2), anguish (Rom 9:2), bitterness…

All that your are should hold firmly onto the rope that Jesus is who he says he is.

Transition:

When facing personal struggles or parenting challenges, the encouragement to "take heart" reminds individuals to rely on God's strength within them, recognizing that they are not alone in their journey

This phrase invites people to find rest and hope in God, rather than their own abilities, during times of difficulty or discouragement

2. It is I

Lets dive fully into the deep end

We can take heart because Jesus is present

I = deeper meaning than they even realize.

Lets repaint the scene:

Marks Gospel merely records Jesus talking from the water then getting into the boat. “He intended to pass them by”

This is not Jesus sees them in distress and and trying to move by them.

This is one of two things.

He intended to go by and help them

2. a Reference to Gods interaction with Moses in the OT.

In Mathew’s Gospel 14:

Peter sees Jesus on the water and believes it’s better to be out of the boat with Jesus than in this storm.

"It is I / I AM" – God's Self-Revelation

“It is I” (ego eimi = "I AM").

Points to His divine identity and presence in the storm.

1. Exodus 3:14 – "I AM WHO I AM"

God reveals Himself to Moses as I AM (Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh).

Emphasizes God's self-existence, eternality, and unchanging nature.

2. Isaiah – "I am he" / "It is I"

Isaiah 41:4: “I, the Lord—the first, and with the last—I am he.”

Isaiah 46:4: “Even to your old age I am he...”

God's reassurance of His uniqueness and covenant faithfulness.

3. Matthew 14:27 / Mark 6:50 / John 6:20 – "It is I"

4. John – Jesus' "I AM" Statements

Metaphorical:

John 6:35 – Bread of Life

2. John 8:12 – Light of the World

3. John 10:7 – Door

4. John 10:11 – Good Shepherd

5. John 11:25 – Resurrection and Life

6. John 14:6 – Way, Truth, Life

7. John 15:1 – True Vine

Absolute:

8. John 8:58 – “Before Abraham was, I am.” (Explicit claim to divinity; echoes Exodus 3:14)

Jesus: is it. he is God, he is all he claims to be. When Jesus is who he is, and we understand who we are (his disciples) There is truly no reason to fear.

3: Do not be afraid

What are we afraid of?

regardless of how things play out on this side of heaven when Jesus is in the boat you are safe, your secure.

This is not an intended to make light of your circumstance but rather put them into perspective in what CHrist has said to you.

Prayer Time:

Shorten distance between head and heart

Prayer team

ask you to be vulnerable.

If you are walking in fear through something put your hand up, and I am going to ask that that people around you soround you and I am going to lead us in a time of prayer.