ON YOUR MARK: WEEK 6 DAY 6

Mark 6:45-56

Jesus Walks on the Water

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.

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Have you ever been exhausted? I mean really totally spent? Maybe you are right now. I think the disciples were exhausted. What was supposed to be a quiet retreat with Jesus turned into a full ministry day. At the end, once the crowd was miraculously fed, Jesus sent the disciples on their way. He was going to send everyone home, and then catch up to them. While Jesus prayed, the disciples strained. They were fighting the wind, after a long day. I can imagine them grumbling to one another, saying things we say like, “what else could go wrong today?”. Then, suddenly they have an answer: “a ghost!”

When we are at our end physically, mentally, emotionally, or even spiritually, we often get tunnel vision. Everything is wrong, and we totally miss the fact that Jesus is approaching, wanting to be with us. 

If you are exhausted today, recognize that Jesus is here. He has authority over whatever is troubling you, and He wants to join you “in the boat.”