What Do We Learn from Jesus' Activity?
Scripture
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away.
(Mark 6:45 NASB)
After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.
(Mark 6:46 NASB)
When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land.
(Mark 6:47 NASB)
Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.
(Mark 6:48 NASB)
But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
(Mark 6:49 NASB)
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.”
(Mark 6:50 NASB)
Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished,
(Mark 6:51 NASB)
for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.
(Mark 6:52 NASB)
(Mark 6:45 NASB)
After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.
(Mark 6:46 NASB)
When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land.
(Mark 6:47 NASB)
Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.
(Mark 6:48 NASB)
But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
(Mark 6:49 NASB)
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.”
(Mark 6:50 NASB)
Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished,
(Mark 6:51 NASB)
for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.
(Mark 6:52 NASB)
Observation
This is simply one of many stories tucked into Mark's gospel presentation and there are many facets of Jesus' life that we can learn here:
1) Jesus took the lead when it came to wrapping up his time with people. He sent the crowds away. He sent his disciples away. Jesus went away to the mountain to pray.
2) Jesus kept a continual watch over his disciples, even when they didn't know it!
3) Jesus had intended to pass them by -- because he knew they really didn't need him in the boat if they would have enough faith.
4) Jesus recognized their fear and therefore spoke to them, and got into the boat with them.
5) Jesus knew that although they had already seen him do so much, they still did not understand.
Application
Jesus came to earth as a human to save humanity! In that process Jesus began to experience, not only in his own flesh but in the flesh of others, doubt and fear. This is the amazing significance of our God. Our God loved us so much that he sent his son, not to live as some superhuman, but to experience life as we do. Jesus had times when he got tired and worn out. He couldn't minister 24/7. He needed a break, he needed to get away from people, even from his dearly beloved disciples. Jesus knew that he had to get away alone and pray because without his personal time with God, he knew that he would not have the energy to continue his work. We, too, must get away and get alone with God. We can't continue to burn the candle at both ends and not allow God to recharge our batteries. If Jesus couldn't do it -- why do we think that we can? We must plan our time alone with God to learn from him, to simply soak in him and to gain strength from him.
We are to live out our Christian faith in community and therefore we are to pay attention to and/or notice the community which is around us. That community includes our spouse, our children, our family, and our church community. We have a responsibility to care for one another and to pay attention to the needs of those around us. Jesus went out of his way -- he changed his plan -- to reach out to those who needed an extra sense of his presence with them. Often there will be those around us who will need a special touch and we need to be sensitive to those around us.
Are we ever tempted to give up on people? Do we wonder whether some people will ever "get" it? I'm sure that Jesus did! Just imagine his disciples who got to watch him do miracles on a regular basis, and yet they weren't "getting it." Even earlier in this chapter we have the story of the twelve being sent out and they do all kinds of miracles -- meaning they themselves were healing people -- and they still don't get it on a personal level?? I can only imagine Jesus' frustration -- and yet he never gave up on them. Jesus continued to love and to lead his disciples until he ascended into heaven. He sent them the Holy Spirit to continue to be with them -- to be their comforter. Jesus knew what his disciples (and what we) so desperately needed and he continued to care for those needs and to love them until the very end.
We are to be Jesus to our world. We bear the family name. We are "Christians." We bear the family resemblance. We are not only to look like him, we are to act like him, we are to be his hands and feet to the world. Therefore we are to imitate Christ, while at the same time allowing his Holy Spirit to so fill us and transform us that there comes a time when we no longer know whether it is imitation of Christ, or Christ himself who is seen in us. This is what we learn from him!
Prayer
Lord, may I seek you with all my heart and be a reflection of you to our world. Thank you for the lessons we learn from you, and may I never stop learning from you! Amen.
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