Scripture: Mark 6:45 - 52; John 6:14-15
Theme: Jesus Walking on Water
Title: Moments with Jesus
Looking at four moments that Mark shares with us in this story 1. Jesus goes to the Mountain to pray 2. Jesus sees the Disciples in Trouble 3. Jesus intends to by pass them 4. Jesus gets into the Boat
INTRO:
Grace and peace from God our Father and from Jesus Christ - Our Messiah, King and LORD!
Sometimes old TV shows are still the best shows you and your family can watch together. They not only were more pure and innocent than the current ones on TV today but they also had the ability to share some great stories and moral truths. Shows like "The Nelsons", the "Andy Griffin's Show" and the "Dick Van Dyke Show" are some great examples. Each one would take the time to tell a story that would help the audience understand the value of telling the truth, of being a person of integrity and of learning how to live in peace and harmony.
Saint Mark does the same thing when he tells us a story in his Gospel. There are little things that Mark adds to his story that helps us understand some deeper truths. There are some little insights that he gives us that enable us to understand better who Jesus is and how we can follow Jesus better.
Now, we know that right before this passage Jesus had feed the 5,000. Over the last couple of weeks we have been focusing on some of the things that happened with that event. Our passage takes place directly after the feeding of the 5,000.
I think originally it was Jesus and his disciple's intention for the crowd to eat, rest and then in the morning return to their homes. After all, it was getting late and they were full and so it was just the perfect time to rest, to share and to go to sleep.
But in his Gospel, St. John tells us that something happened that changed everything. During the miracle meal the crowd started talking about how great it would be for Jesus to replace either King Herod Antipas or King Phillip. I am sure those that came from Capernaum wanted Jesus to go back and replace King Herod Antipas while those living around Bethsaida of Julius wanted Jesus to replace King Philip.
Both Herod and Philip had been major disappointments. Most scholars tell us that both men's Jewish heritage was suspect. If ancestry.com had been in existence back then it would have shown that both men were more likely from the lineage of Esau (Edomite) than from the lineage of the Tribe of Judah.
They also mere toyed with loyalty to the Torah (the Jewish Law) and to serving the Good God of Creation. Both men loved the lifestyle and customs that went along with Roman and Greek culture. They were both known for their lavish lifestyles and their attempts to curry favor with the Romans at the expense of their Jewish subjects. Philip was known to be more peace loving than Herod Antipas but neither man enjoyed a great measure of success, fame or popularity.
We get the idea from John's Gospel that all around the crowd the idea started popping up that this would be an excellent time to announce Jesus as the New King of the Jews. The 5,000 men gathered there would spread word that rather than Herod Antipas and Philip being their rulers Jesus would be the next King of Israel. After all, if Jesus could heal, cast out demons, raise the dead, calm the seas and feed the 5,000 what else could he do?
They believed that it wouldn't take long for them to muster up an army and with God's help they could reunite all the Promise Land under King Jesus. Perhaps then they would be able to throw Rome and its despicable army once and for all out of the Middle East.
It is right here that you can almost hear the Devil whispering in the people's ear the same temptation that he presented to Jesus back in the Wilderness -
"Again, the devil took him (Jesus) to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, 'All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.'" (Matthew 3:8-9 NRSV)
St. John tells us that Jesus would have nothing to do with this kind of talk. He had not come to create political or military confusion and chaos. He had not come to earth to start a Holy War, at least not the kind that would cause the needless death of innocent children, women and men. Jesus had come to share the Good News of Redemption. Jesus had come to rescue and redeem mankind. Jesus had come to die for mankind not for mankind to die so that he might have some earthly throne. Jesus was already King - He was already King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He already had an eternal throne in heaven.
Jesus quickly sends his disciples off. No doubt they too were getting caught up in all the hype. After all, if Jesus is made King that means that they become a part of royalty as well. That is quite a temptation. The possibility of going from being a fisherman who has had to eke out a living by the sweat of their brow to being able to sit on purple cushions and have people wait on your hand and foot had to be quite tempting to say the least.
Jesus also dismisses the crowd. No doubt some had stayed because it was getting dark. Others had stayed hoping that by morning they could convince Jesus to proclaiming his Kingdom. However, the message was clear. Jesus was not interested in becoming some populist king. He was not interested in starting this kind of humanistic revolution. He was starting a revolution but one that was spiritual in nature not one led by men holding swords, knives and clubs.
Now, all of that is the background of our story.
And our story is an amazing one full of miracles and revelations. It's a story that opens up more of Jesus' true identity as the Son of God. It's a story that helps us understand how to better follow Jesus as Savior and LORD.
Let's look at some key moments that Mark shares.
1. The first movement is that Jesus goes up on the mountain to spend time in Prayer
Jesus waves goodbye to his disciples and walks away from the Sea of Galilee's shore line and away from the grassy area to go up on top of one of the small mountains nearby to pray. These mountains are located about a mile from the shore line.
So, why did Jesus hike up the mountain in the dark to pray?
+ Was it because he was exhausted and needed some time alone to be refreshed?
+ Was it because the news of John the Baptist's death had finally overwhelmed him?
+ Was it because he just wanted to escape from all the crowd and the temptations?
I think it was mostly to get some clarification from His Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. Basically, Jesus needed a team meeting. He needed some time to discuss all that was going on. He wanted some alone time with the Father and Holy Spirit so that He would know what to do next.
I think Jesus was also a little frustrated. It seemed like each time he did a miracle the people couldn't see it for what it really was. It was not for him to proclaim his kingship but to announce that His Heavenly Father was getting ready to do a new thing for humanity. It was to show the people that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand.
The miracles were not so that people could lift up Jesus but to praise His Heavenly Father - the Good God of Creation, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Everything Jesus did was to give praise and honor to His Heavenly Father. Jesus wanted to show the people that God loves them and wants to bring healing and wholeness to all of humanity.
I think he was also a little frustrated with his disciples. By now they should be getting the clue. They were not chosen so that people could follow them but so that they could be co-servants with Jesus. They were not chosen so that they could put themselves first but so that they could pour out their lives for others. They had been chosen to be servants not lords.
Also, I believe that Jesus just needed some time to be at peace and to be comforted by His Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. I think Jesus just needed a wonderful time out. Living day by day with fallen humanity had to be exhausting. We posses such great potential but at times we are thick headed and obtuse. We tend to focus on the material rather than the spiritual. We tend to be in tune with what the Devil wants to offer and deaf to the words and will of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.
At times it's a wonder why Jesus didn't just ascend back into heaven and leave us on our own. It is a wonder why he didn't call down a fiery chariot and leave like the prophet Elijah. It is a wonder why he didn't just say, "Father, let's do this a different way. Let's just go ahead and have another flood or a fire and start all over again. These humans are just not worth the time, effort and sacrifice."
After all, in heaven things go smoothly. Creation doesn't get out line. Michael doesn't give lip or want his own way. Gabriel is ready at a moment's notice to do whatever is asked of him. The 24 elders are totally surrendered and committed. The seraphim are always ready to obey and do God's Will.
Earth proved to be quite a different story. Peter was at times - well to be polite - dense. Judas was always maneuvering to get an extra coin or two. James and John were always seeking a way to be better than the others. Thomas asked the craziest of questions and you had to go through things over and over with him. Jesus' own family wasn't getting the message. Even those who were suppose to be clued in spiritually like Nicodemus were thick headed.
I am sure at times we all have felt like that with our families, friends and with those we work with at the office or at school. We just get exhausted with the constant pull and responsibility that comes with living with other human beings. It is during those times that we need to do exactly what Jesus did - He got alone with His Heavenly Father and with the Holy Spirit. He went to get some proper perspective and to have some down time.
We need to do the same. When we begin to get overwhelmed with life instead of getting on Facebook or on Instagram and bickering and complaining we need to find a prayer spot. We need to get away from everyone else and take our problems to the One who can give us supernatural knowledge, wisdom and revelation. We need to go to the LORD and allow His Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us.
Otherwise we will continually get frustrated and say things that will make the situation worse. Or we will fall into the pit of depression and begin to feel sorry for ourselves thinking that no one cares or understands. It is during times like this that we can make mountains out of mole hills. It is during times like this that we can allow anger and bitterness to take over.
That is why it is so important as we read these stories for us to see very carefully how Jesus responds and what he does. If Jesus needed a time out so too do we. If Jesus needed to have a group meeting with the Father and the Holy Spirit so too do we.
Mark is much more than a historian. He is not interested in providing for us some type of chronological report of some of Jesus' activities while He was on the earth. Mark is sharing with us how to repent, how to receive grace, to be born again and then how to live out a life of faith. Mark is showing us the way for us to live in Christ and for Christ here on the earth. Mark is interested in us understanding who Jesus is, accepting Jesus as Our Savior and LORD and then living out a life of progressive holiness. Mark is wanting us to be ready for the Second Coming and to be ready to live that resurrected life on the New Heaven and Earth some day.
Mark is not writing to put on the market a best seller or to get his name in the papers or to for his book to be made into a movie. Mark is a disciple and an evangelist. He is doing his best to help us be ready for the Second Coming and to be ready to live on the New Heaven and Earth some day.
The Bible tells us that from around 9 PM to 3 AM ( for some six hours) the LORD spent some quality time in a group session with His Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit.
2. Second moment - Jesus sees that the Disciples are in trouble
Verse 48 seems like such an ordinary verse - Jesus is praying and then he looks out and sees that the disciples are straining at the oars against the wind. We read it and think - yea, he is on the mountain and so he looks out and sees the disciples.
Again, we have to do a little digging and then we realize - Hey, according to most Bible scholars they are some 2 - 4 miles away. Now, unless Jesus has the eyes of an eagle or the night vision of an owl what he is able to see is humanly impossible. Normal humans do not have the ability to make out what Jesus saw with such clarity. Jesus is supernaturally seeing these disciples.
We read that verse and go that's nice. We need to read that verse and realize once again Mark sharing with us in his own little way that Jesus not only is spending time praying with the Father and the Holy Spirit but he always has his eyes on his disciples. They are never out of Jesus watch care.
Just because the Trinity gets together for a little group meeting doesn't mean that they takes their vision off of us. Those disciples were never out of Jesus' mind nor his sight of vision. He saw them straining against the wind. He knew that they were not in mortal danger. They were just having a hard time going against the wind that early morning.
We need to take comfort this morning in the knowledge that we are never out of God's sight. We are not out of God's sight whether we are doing things right or doing things wrong. We are never out of God's watch care either. It would amaze us if we only knew how many times the LORD has sent an angel to protect us or has prevented us from hurting or damaging ourselves by our own foolishness.
The disciples were having to battle the waves and the wind but they were not in mortal danger. This was far different than the time that Jesus had to stand up in the middle of the boat and command the water and the storm to Be Quiet and to Be Calm. If you remember when that happened Mark let us know that a demonic force was at play.
When I read this passage of scripture I am reminded what Jesus said when He preached the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus told the crowds that gathered there that day that they should not be overcome with worry and anxiety. Jesus tells them that His Heavenly Father watches over the lilies of the field (something like dandelions) and over the birds of the air. And if God so watches over them that they need to be sure that God watches over them as well.
We need to take comfort in that. There is nothing that is going on in our lives that God does not know about. There is nothing in our lives that we can't ask Jesus to help us. It doesn't mean that we will not have to go through some storms in this life but it does mean that we don't have to go through them alone. Just as Jesus was watching over his disciples so too do He watch over all of us.
3. Third Moment - The Disciples Almost Missed Jesus
Mark tells us that Jesus intended to simply walk right past his disciples early that morning. I wonder if he was going to surprise them when they got to shore. We don't know. All we know is what verse 48 tells us - "He intended to pass them by."
Perhaps in all their six hours of rowing and straining they had forgotten the power of prayer. Perhaps they were too busy trying to fix their own problems in their own strength. Perhaps they were too busy fussing and fighting with one another over their situation that they had not taken the time to get quiet and allow God to be God. Perhaps Jesus let them go through all of that hoping that one of them would call on the name of God to still the wind and the waves.
I also think at times that Our Lord loves to have fun with us. I think at times God likes to surprise us. I think just as much as we love a good laugh our Heavenly Father loves a good laugh. I think we see the mischievous side of Jesus as He tries to tip toe across the water next to the disciples without being seen.
I think we also need to realize that it is easy for us to be unaware of Jesus' presence around us. There are times that Jesus is with us and if we are not careful we will not see Him, feel Him or experience the joy that He wants to bring to us. I think we must keep our eyes looking for Him, our ears listening for Him and our hearts in tune with Him so that we will always know that He is around.
You know there was another time that a couple of disciples didn't realize that Jesus was right there in their midst. It happened on that first Resurrection morning (Luke 24:13 - 35). Two of Jesus' disciples were walking down the road towards Emmaus which was about seven miles away from Jerusalem. As they were walking Jesus comes up and starts to walk with them. At the time they had no clue that it was Jesus. They thought it was just another traveler going home after Passover.
Jesus begins to join in their conversation. They began to tell Jesus everything that had happened at Passover. They shared how they had so much hope in this young carpenter turned rabbi from Nazareth named Jesus. They shared how Jesus had been so different than other rabbis they had heard. How Jesus spoke with such power and authority. They had really thought that Jesus might be the Messiah but now with his death all that hope had vanished.
It came time for these two men to make their turn to go home and they had yet to recognize that all this time it was Jesus who was actually walking with them. They had spent the whole time telling Jesus about Jesus. That had to cause Jesus to smile a little bit.
Anyway, they get ready to turn towards their home and they almost let Jesus leave. Here they had been in the presence of the Resurrected LORD for the past hour or two and they were not even aware of it. It was only after they invited Jesus into their home and they sat down to break bread did they realize that this man who had been walking with them was the Resurrected Lord.
I think one of the reasons why the disciples in our story didn't see Jesus at first was because they were so engrossed in their struggle. They were so intent at getting their boat to land that nothing else was on their mind. They had tunnel vision. They had a mission. They had to get to shore. They had things to do. They couldn't allow themselves to get off point.
Sometimes we are so concerned with how a service is going to go, how we look or what other people are going to say or do that we miss out on why we are at church in the first place. Sometime we get so caught up in having to read our Bibles and saying a few words in prayer that we miss out on spending quality time with God.
We dedicate this sacred time to the LORD but we forget to invite the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We get so caught up in making sure we read the Bible, pray, worship and spend time with one another that we forget that the real reason we are here in the first place is to spend time with God.
We have to make sure that we don't miss Jesus when Jesus is all around us.
IV. The Fourth Moment - Jesus Gets In the Boat
After Jesus assures the disciples that it is in fact Him, he has the disciples make room so that he can get in the boat.
"And he got in the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astonished..." (verse 51)
John says it this way - (John 6:21) - "Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going."
They still didn't understand everything but they were smart enough to make room for Jesus. They were smart enough to understand that the man who walks on water needs to be inside the boat giving the directions. They were smart enough to know to let Jesus have full control of their boat and their lives.
I've never seen someone walk on water before. I've never seen someone have the power to cause the winds to cease and the waves to become calm. I've never seen anyone be able to make a boat be wherever they want it to be.
But I know that Our Lord has the power to do so. I also know that Jesus did all of these things.
And when I am smart enough to listen and obey I also know that the same God who can do all of these things is the God who loves me, died for me and has the best intentions for my life. I know that Jesus wants the best for all of us.
I know that the best thing I can do is to allow Jesus to not only get in my life boat but to be in charge of my life boat. I also know that wherever He takes me that is the exact place I need to be.
+I know that when I begin to get overwhelmed that I need to take a time out. I need to get alone with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I need to allow them to refresh me, enlighten me and provide for me some new insights and directions. I know that if I do that then I will be able to face whatever I need to face.
+I also know that no matter where I am or what I am facing I can be assured that Jesus is both praying for me and watching over me. When Jesus told us that he will be with us until the end of the age - He meant it. We can always count on Jesus being with us today, tomorrow and forever.
+I also know that I have to be aware and tuned in so that I do not miss the presence of Jesus and His Holy Spirit. I have to be watchful so that during a service, during my private devotions or just going through the normal activities of the day I don't miss Jesus reaching out to me, speaking to me or wanting to share something with me.
+Finally, I know that I always want Jesus in my life boat. There is never a time that I want to travel out in the future without Jesus at the helm.
This morning as we close - I think all of us here want the same things that I have stated that I want
+You want the Help of the Holy Trinity when you are overwhelmed and even when you are not overwhelmed.
+You want Jesus praying for you, making intercession for you and watching over you.
+You always want to be aware of being in the presence of Jesus. You want to be open to His leading and His will.
+You want Jesus in your life boat this morning.
For me this morning this story brings great comfort and peace. Mark shares with us a little more insight to who Jesus is and just how much He loves us, cares for us and desires to be with us.
You know, we have no better friend than Jesus - let's end our service this morning by singing that song -
Hymn: Jesus Is All the World to Me
Contemporary - How Great Is Our God
Open Altar/Prayer/Blessing
