Still Missing Jesus

Introduction

This morning we are continuing our study in the book of Mark. Today we are going to finish up the sixth chapter of the book. If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to Mark chapter 6.

Last week we saw Jesus feed 5,000 men (plus women and children) with five dinner rolls and two small smokey sardines. But we need to remember the context of this story. Way back up in verse 30 we read:

Mark 6:30–31 NIV84

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Then, when they got to the other said of the Sea of Galilee, we read:

Mark 6:34 NIV84

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

So, after another full day of teaching the crowd and feeding some 10 to 15,000 people we come to verse 45!

Mark 6:45–46 NIV84

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

So, Jesus puts the disciples into a boat to head back out on the lake! Jesus stays behind and sends the crowds away. Then He goes up on the mountain to pray!

Meanwhile, the disciples are out on the Sea of Galilee, working hard to row to the other side.

Mark 6:47–48 NIV84

When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,

So they are out in the middle of the lake. The wind and waves are once again roaring. The disciples are not resting, no they are straining at the oars, rowing with all their might to get to the other side.

Jesus can see them from the land—He sees them working hard—rowing with all their might!

And now it is “the fourth watch” or between 3 and 6 in the morning. That means that the disciples have been up rowing all night long. So much for “rest.”

Now Jesus goes out them by walking on the water. Now verse 48 says, “He was about to pass them by. . .” this is the same kind of phrase that was used in Exodus 33, where God passed by Moses in the cleft of the rock—they should have seen Jesus’ glory as he walked by on the water, but instead:

Mark 6:49–50 NIV84

but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Instead of seeing Jesus’ glory, they think He is a ghost!

Instead of seeing His glory, the are terrified!

But Jesus tells them to take courage—He tells them to be courageous! He tells them not to be afraid! And then!

Mark 6:51–52 NIV84

Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

The disciples miss Jesus again! They miss three amazing ways that Jesus showed them who He is.

They missed that Jesus is the bread of life when He fed the 5,000.

John 6:48 NIV84

I am the bread of life.

They missed the supernatural when Jesus walked on the water.

Mark 6:14 NIV84

King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

And they missed that Jesus is the master of all nature when He once again calmed the Sea of Galilee.

Luke 8:25 NIV84

“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

QUESTION? Are you missing Jesus yet again?

Do you know Jesus as the bread of life?

Do you know Him as the Master of the Supernatural?

And do you know Him as the one the wind and the waves obey?

Now what I find amazing is how the disciples how amazing Jesus is! But the people didn’t!

Mark 6:53–56 NIV84

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

SO WHAT?

Throughout life here on earth it is easy to miss that Jesus is the life!

Jesus said,

John 14:6 NIV84

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Are you experiencing Jesus as your Life?

Jesus is the master of all the supernatural. Remember Mark 1, when the demons asked Jesus?

Mark 1:24 NIV84

“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

And, do you know Jesus is the Master over nature?

Colossians 1:16–17 NIV84

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Or are you missing Jesus, the great “I Am?”