Another Storm, Really?

Background to passage: Since the end of chapter four, Jesus has been demonstrating his person and character through multiple miracles. He calmed a storm, cast out a demon, healed the sick, raised a little girl from the dead. Now, having fed the 5000+, Jesus sends them away and sends the disciples across the sea of Galilee, while he goes upon the mountain to pray (just a couple of comments about Jesus needing time to pray).

Mark 6:45–52 ESV

45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 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, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 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.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Opening illustration: There was a song in the late 90’s that described this passage in scripture. It was from the perspective of the parallel passage in Matthew 14 where Peter goes out on the water with Jesus. It speculates on what was going on at the exact moment Peter went out. The bridge indicates that Peter was meant to dance and enjoy himself as his faith in Jesus was full, rather than sinking in a failure of faith. It was called Strolling On The Water. The focus was on Peter, which is unfortunately not where it is supposed to be.

We don’t know why Mark/Peter left that detail out his account, but Mark lines it all up together with the previous chapters to show the true aim of this passage, who Jesus is.

Main thought: This miracle was not a cool trick to show his disciples, but with a specific purpose, like the others, to reveal himself to the disciples. This miracle was about walking on the water.

1) God’s Will Includes Hardship (v. 47-48)

Mark 6:47–48 ESV

47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 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,

Explanation: First thing we need to realize is that Jesus sent them into a dark sea alone,

knowing that a storm was coming. Different from the last storm in Mark 4, the disciples were

not afraid for their lives, but they were giving out from rowing so hard and long. It was a

wind that was coming at them from the other side of the lake. After sending them,

controlling the wind, he waiting until 3:00 in the morning. The bible fully expects us to be

tossed about by outside forces.

2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV

17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all

comparison,

Romans 5:3 ESV

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

Romans 8:18 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the

glory that is to be revealed to us.

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the

testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that

you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Illustration: Author after the VT shooting of 2007 when 32 students were shot down in a day.

“Why did God let this happen? That is the wrong question. Here’s a better one. Why do

people still believe in supernatural nonsense? The Bible was written by primitive men

approximately 1700 years before the invention of the flush toilet. It is internally inconsistent

and does not comport with reality. Yet millions still believe it and many will say their allpowerful

god could have stopped the Virginia Tech massacre but did not because he has

granted men free will. In other words, god did not want to interfere with the free will of the