Mark 6:45-56 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Mark 6:45-56. Let’s go
Mark 6:45-46 (NIV)
45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.
46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
On verses 45-46: Here we see Jesus’ heart for his disciples, how he lets them go on ahead of him by boat so that they can get some rest while he dismisses the crowd…OR was Jesus intentionally sending them into a storm to teach them a lesson? Hmm.
Either way, what we do know for sure is that at the end of the day Jesus goes to a mountainside to pray. Jesus knew that the rest he needed most was rest for his soul, so he spends it alone with the Father, the only one who could fully refresh his spirit. Likewise, there is no physical food, no party and no ministry high that can replace being close with the Father.
Mark 6:47-52 (NIV)
47 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land.
48 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,
49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out,
50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,
52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
On verses 47-52: When you’re in the middle of a storm, God wants you to focus on the One who is greater than the storm. Whatever storm you’re facing today, know that the One who literally stands above the storm is with you and says: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” And to prove that they didn’t need to be afraid, the moment Jesus climbs into the boat with them, the wind dies down. It’s always better to go through a storm with Jesus than without Him.
Now what about verse 52? What did the disciples not understand about the loaves? What Mark seems to be getting at is that the whole point about the loaves was more than just to feed hungry people; it was to show that Jesus is God, something that the disciples had yet to fully grasp.
Mark 6:53-56 (NIV)
53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there.
54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus.
55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.
56 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.
On verses 53-56: The same Greek word for “healed” (sozo) also means “saved”. That’s the power of touching Jesus. Jesus is life and health personified. You can’t get close to Jesus without experiencing life. That’s why every funeral Jesus personally attended became a celebration. That’s why sick people who got close to Jesus were healed. That’s why people everywhere wanted to get close to Jesus. Where Jesus is, life happens. Find Jesus, find life.
Jesus, thank You that You are greater than any storm I’m in, and that when I get close to You, I experience life once again. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
