Do you know Jesus?
I’m pretty sure every one would answer this question, with a reply of yes. But before you answer the question really take a look at your life and see what have you done to get to know Him better. During the trails and hardship in your life whom did you turn to first? Well it is not my argument but let me show you a beautiful passage.
Mark 6:45
45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. 53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, 55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
Our lesson takes place after Jesus has feed the over five thousand with a lad’s lunch; twelve baskets of fragments were left over. Everyone was filled; the crowd has just witnessed one of our Lord miracles.
The crowd now more than every wants to around Jesus, but not for the right reason some because he good things always happens when he is around. Some just like the fact the He provides meals, some just like to see Him work wonders, but none because He is the Son of God.
V45
45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
Straightway – immediately
2117. εὐθύς euthus; a prim. word used as an adj. or adv.; straight, straightway:— early(1), immediately(52), just then(1), right(2), straight(6).
Constrained - compel
337 ἀναγκάζω (anagkazō): vb.; = Str 315; TDNT 1.344—LN 37.33 compel, force, make one do something (Mt 14:22; Mk 6:45; Lk 14:23; Ac 26:11; 28:19; 2Co 12:11; Gal 2:3, 14; 6:12+)
(6:45) And immediately, He compelled His disciples to go on board the boat and precede Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He dismisses the crowd. From Kenneth Wuest’s Word Studies
46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
He sent the crowd away and He is alone on land. He goes to a mountain to pray. Now if Jesus felt a need to pray what does that say for you and I. One of the to know Jesus is to spend time with Him in prayer, in order to gain insight on Him and about Him you have to spend some quite time with Him. Notice he is alone on land by Himself, when was the last time you got alone by yourself to spend time with Jesus alone?
From Dr. Kenneth Wuest’s Word Studies
(6:46) When He had sent them away. The verb is apotassō (ἀποτασσω) and means “to separate one’s self, withdraw one’s self, to take leave of, bid farewell to.”
To pray. The verb is proseuchomai (προσευχομαι), which is used of prayer addressed to God, the prefixed preposition meaning “toward, facing,” emphasizing the direct approach of the one who prays, in seeking God’s face. It speaks also of the consciousness on the part of the one who prays, of the fact of God’s presence and His listening ear.
Translation. And having taken leave of them, He went off into the mountain to pray.
47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
Notice now we have our first time frame even, which suggests to us that the hour is about 6:oo PM. Not only do we have our first time frame but also the position of the disciples and Him.
From Dr. Kenneth Wuest’s Word Studies
(6:47) When even was come. It was the second or late evening, 6 p. m., at sunset.
He alone on the land. Jesus had come down from the mountain and had returned to the seashore. Apparently He stayed some hours on the beach, for John says (6:17), “It was now dark and Jesus had not come to them.”
Translation. And evening having come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He Himself alone upon the land.
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
Notice the bible say He saw them, which indicates to me that He always can see me. Knowing Jesus is knowing that no matter where you are He can see you. The bible goes on to say what He saw them doing, they were toiling in rowing. Please make note that both toiling and rowing have suffix ing on the end of them, which indicates the present tense. It suggests that they had been presently doing it for a while. Now knowing that the only reason the disciples where out on the sea was because Jesus told them to go. Why did they not call for help or even offer up one word of prayer. Maybe they did not know Him as well as they thought they did. The bible gives us the reason why they toiling, the wind was contrary.
Toiling is a verb basanizō (βασανιζω) “to torture,” used in the passive, “to be harassed, distressed.”
Contrary - 1785 ἐλαύνω (elaunō): vb.; = Str 1643—LN 15.161 drive along, in some contexts, row (with oars Mk 6:48; Jn 6:19+); (pass.) be driven (by natural or supernatural forces), (Lk 8:29; Jas 3:4; 2Pe 2:17+)
Even through they where rowing the wind was driving them another way, have you ever made three steps forward and it seems you got knocked five step backwards?
Notice our next time frame the bible say Jesus came walking on the water about the forth watch of the night. Being in the military myself this is understood to be first watch of the new day, between 12:00 AM – 6:00 AM. This watch is the darkest watch, and the most difficult watch to stay awake on. However when you know Jesus you know He has no problem meeting you in your darkest hour nor will He fall asleep on the job. Knowing Jesus can make the difference in you life, He will not let you down. Can I show you something very interesting, the disciples never prayed for His help but He still showed up. They never called for Him not one time but He shows up for them in their darkest hour. The question keeps popping up in my mind why did they not call on him for help, just could it be that they did not know Him as well as they thought. They may have been rowing now for over 10 hours and nerver called on the Lord for help. How long do you go before you call on the Lord, how long do you try to handle it before you call on the Lord to came and aid you. When you really know Jesus you go to Him first, not after everything else has let you down.
The next part of the passage is a poor translation, Dr. Kennth Wuest shine light on this.
Walking on the sea. The word “on” is epi (ἐπι) which when used with the genitive case as it is here, signifies contact. Our Lord’s sandals had actual contact with the water. He walked on the surface of the sea as we walk on a hard pavement.
Would have passed by them. The word “would” is the translation of thelō (θελω) “I desire.” He desired to pass by them. The word “by” is para (παρα), which means “beside.” The word “passed” is erchomai (ἐρχομαι) “to go.” The A.V., leaves the impression that our Lord desired to pass them by. But He went out on that turbulent sea in order to go to their help. This preposition para (παρα) when used in composition with a verb as it is here, denotes “situation or motion either from the side of or to the side of,” and thus means “near, beside, by, to.” The context points to the rendering. “He was desiring to go to their side.” An instance of this use is found in Acts 24:7, where the A.V., has “The chief captain Lysias came upon us,” and the same verb is used, parerchomai (παρερχομαι). Both Expositors and Robertson understand the meaning to be that Jesus desired to pass by the disciples, and parerchomai (παρερχομαι) has that meaning. But it also means “to come near.” The context is decisive for the latter, in the judgment of the present writer, since the reason why Jesus went out to the disciples, was, not to pass by and leave them to their fate, but to come near and help them in their difficulty, which thing He proceeded to do.
Translation. And seeing them constantly distressed in their rowing, for the wind was against them, sometime between three and six in the morning, He comes to them walking directly on the sea. And He was desiring to go to their side.
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
Notice the bible say for they saw Him, they knew what Jesus looked like, they knew somewhat of His abilities. But this time they afraid, if there were a time you would think they would be happy to see Him would not that be now. Jesus had to speak to them in order for them to know it was He. Notice that the winds and the sea did not have that problem; Jesus did not speak to the winds nor the sea. If the winds and the sea can recognize their creator what is wrong with the disciples. Why did they not recognize He the same way, could it just be that they did not know Him well as they thought. Why where they so amazed was this the first time they seen Him perform miracles? Well this was the first time the miracle had a direct impact on them!
Let me close by telling you a story:
Doug a young man in a country town with a family, and a very good paying job. Well the company that Doug is working for decided to move to another town, and it just so happen Doug was not chosen to move with the company. Doug was very upset, he thought about his family, and all the material portions he had acquired over the years. Doug was to embarrass to tell his wife, he took matters in his own hands. Doug called every friend he could think of and every last on of them turned him down. Even sadder now than ever before this is what Doug did.
He went to Job Corp, said I need a good paying job and I need it real quick. Job Corp said sir I am sorry but you will have to spend at least one to two years in training before we place you on a job. Doug had found no help.
He went to the Unemployment Office, said I need a good paying job and I need it real quick. The lady at the desk said sir the only thing I can do is add you name to a long list. She pulled the list out to show Doug and it must have been over 500 hundred names before him. He found no help
He went to the Social Security Office to see if he can collect his deceits parent’s benefit. He filled out the paper work out and took it to the front desk. The lady at the desk called him up and said sir I am sorry but you are over the age of 18 and we cannot give your parent benefits. He found no help
He is getting pretty desperate now but he continues on. He goes to United Way, he thinks about all the time he gave during company drive, thinking surely they would give him help. It was late and they where just about to close. He went to the front desk ask to if he could get a little money to make it threw the week, the lady at the desk said sir I am sorry but we have already given out all the money we can in one day. He found no help
Doug does not know how is going to make it now he has one more chance. He goes by Salvation Army; surely they well help with some food for the week. He went to the desk asking the lady for food and help, the lady at the desk said sir I am sorry but we have reach limit for today come back tomorrow. He found no help.
Doug is really feeling down he goes home to end it all, he feels that at this time he is worth more dead than alive. After all he has tried everything he knows how to do.
He writes his wife a letter telling everything and all that he has tried to do. He writes:
Job Corp = no help
Unemployment Office = no help
Social Security Office = no help
United Way = no help
Salvation Army = no help
It was right then God step in and showed him what he need to do, take the letter s and see what you get.
Job Corp = no help
Unemployment Office = no help
Social Security Office = no help
United Way = no help
Salvation Army = no help
Doug took the J from Job Corp, the e from Unemployment Office, the S in Social Security, the U in United Way, the S in Salvation Army. Doug said I will try Jesus!!!!!
