The Wave Walker - Wild Heart: Mark’s Portraits of a Radical Messiah
We’re continuing our series Wild Heart: Mark’s Portrait of a Radical Messiah this morning.
Last time we looked at a story that presented another challenging situation that stretched the disciples. It was the feeding of the 5,000. This miracle was so important that it’s the only one of Jesus’ miracles that is mentioned in all 4 gospels. One of the reasons for this is that it so clearly identifies Jesus as the Messiah. If you weren’t here last week I’d like you compare the story in Mark 6:30-44 with Psalm 23.
Today we’re going to look at another miracle that is unusual. I guess by definition all miracles would be unusual or they wouldn’t be miracle, right? I guess what I mean is that of the miracle of Jesus this one is unusual in that the most amazing part of it wasn’t necessarily for the direct benefit of another person.
In Mark 6:45-53 we find the story of Jesus walking on the water. Let me see some hands if you could tell me that story from memory. Lot’s of hands. It’s probably not surprising that this story is told in 3 of the 4 gospels and it’s probably even more well known than any other miracle that Jesus did because it’s taken on a ‘proverbial’ meaning in our culture. When people sometimes come across and arrogant you will often hear someone say “They think they can walk on water,” or something like that.
But remember this event really happened and it has more meaning than just the sum of its parts. So let’s read it together this morning. (Read passage)
Now I want to start with the end. Is that ok?
What does vs. 52 have to do with what just happened? If this idea of bread only came up here in this account we could chalk it up to a mystery, something we might ask Jesus on the other side. But in the gospel of John, Jesus talks about the bread from heaven right after He walks on the water. So there’s some kind of link between walking on water and feeding 5,000 people.
In Mark’s and John’s accounts Jesus challenges the motives and faith of the people involved. So this is a very important thought that Jesus is trying to communicate to the people and ultimately to us.
Jesus wants His followers to do two things:
Learn the spiritual truths revealed by God’s physical intervention. Jesus diagnoses the condition of the disciple’s hearts by their reaction to this miracle. Keep in mind that Jesus knew that their hearts were hardened. It was clear from their actions on several occasions. They just weren’t making the connections between what Jesus was doing and what they needed to learn.
They had already seen Him calm a storm so why did it amaze them this time? They saw Him feed 5,000 people with almost nothing but they were amazed that He could walk on water. Just look at their reaction when they first saw Jesus. They thought He was a ghost when they could have just as easily assumed it was Jesus.
It seems they had more faith in the mythology of the sea than in the Messiah who could heal the sick, raise the dead, feed 5,000 and calm the sea. But doesn’t that describe us sometimes? When we’re faced with frightening and difficult challenges do we automatically assume the worst instead of trusting the God who is able to do all things well?
Why do we doubt? We all do it, don’t we? Why? I’ve been reading Job lately and this man lost everything, actually God allowed everything to be taken from him, and Job says “Even if He kills me, I will trust Him.” Sounds like Abraham. When God told him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, Abraham believed God would raise his son from the dead if He had to in order to keep His promise.
The stories of these two OT men should have revealed that God’s ways man be perplexing to us, but they stretch us search deeper for His heart so that we can more clearly understand His ways.
Apply their knowledge of God’s ability to their present circumstances. Jesus allowed the disciples, actually pushed them into a situation where they would be tested to apply the lessons from the past. In vs. 45 it says he ‘made’ or forced them to get in the boat and go. Then later on in vs. 48 it says Jesus saw them ‘straining’ at the oars. The Greek word used here means testing.
Let’s not move too quickly past this point. Jesus intentionally put the disciples in a situation that would test them.
Popular teachers today will promise you that if you follow their ‘teaching’ and do what they tell you that you won’t face trials in life. What’s interesting to me is that Jesus seemed to intentionally put the disciples in very difficult situations forcing them to deal with their baggage, doubts, and fears.
They struggled to apply what they knew of God to their situation and all of these years later we have the benefit of learning from the disciples experience in the boat that day.
Here’s what we know about Him….
Jesus intercedes for us vs. 46 He went up to the mountain to pray but did He pray about? One thing we know based on all of Jesus’ other recorded prayers is that He prayed for His disciples. It says in Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He (Jesus) is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Jesus has His eye on us vs. 48 Jesus had His eye on them long before they were aware of Him. Like a mother who watches her child from afar. The little one is unaware of their watchful eye, but when a threat appears mom comes to their side. Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy…
Jesus will be with us (even if He has to walk on water to do it!) vs. 48-49 It certainly didn’t happen the way the disciples would have wanted, but it all came together just the way Jesus did and there was nothing that could separate them from His presence.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Knowing the stories about Jesus wasn’t what He wanted. He wanted them to learn what it meant to follow him and see that truth transform their thoughts, actions and ultimately their life.
What’s your trial today? What impossible situation are you facing that God is allowing so that you can apply what you know about Him?
Last time we looked at a story that presented another challenging situation that stretched the disciples. It was the feeding of the 5,000. This miracle was so important that it’s the only one of Jesus’ miracles that is mentioned in all 4 gospels. One of the reasons for this is that it so clearly identifies Jesus as the Messiah. If you weren’t here last week I’d like you compare the story in Mark 6:30-44 with Psalm 23.
Today we’re going to look at another miracle that is unusual. I guess by definition all miracles would be unusual or they wouldn’t be miracle, right? I guess what I mean is that of the miracle of Jesus this one is unusual in that the most amazing part of it wasn’t necessarily for the direct benefit of another person.
In Mark 6:45-53 we find the story of Jesus walking on the water. Let me see some hands if you could tell me that story from memory. Lot’s of hands. It’s probably not surprising that this story is told in 3 of the 4 gospels and it’s probably even more well known than any other miracle that Jesus did because it’s taken on a ‘proverbial’ meaning in our culture. When people sometimes come across and arrogant you will often hear someone say “They think they can walk on water,” or something like that.
But remember this event really happened and it has more meaning than just the sum of its parts. So let’s read it together this morning. (Read passage)
Now I want to start with the end. Is that ok?
What does vs. 52 have to do with what just happened? If this idea of bread only came up here in this account we could chalk it up to a mystery, something we might ask Jesus on the other side. But in the gospel of John, Jesus talks about the bread from heaven right after He walks on the water. So there’s some kind of link between walking on water and feeding 5,000 people.
In Mark’s and John’s accounts Jesus challenges the motives and faith of the people involved. So this is a very important thought that Jesus is trying to communicate to the people and ultimately to us.
Jesus wants His followers to do two things:
Learn the spiritual truths revealed by God’s physical intervention. Jesus diagnoses the condition of the disciple’s hearts by their reaction to this miracle. Keep in mind that Jesus knew that their hearts were hardened. It was clear from their actions on several occasions. They just weren’t making the connections between what Jesus was doing and what they needed to learn.
They had already seen Him calm a storm so why did it amaze them this time? They saw Him feed 5,000 people with almost nothing but they were amazed that He could walk on water. Just look at their reaction when they first saw Jesus. They thought He was a ghost when they could have just as easily assumed it was Jesus.
It seems they had more faith in the mythology of the sea than in the Messiah who could heal the sick, raise the dead, feed 5,000 and calm the sea. But doesn’t that describe us sometimes? When we’re faced with frightening and difficult challenges do we automatically assume the worst instead of trusting the God who is able to do all things well?
Why do we doubt? We all do it, don’t we? Why? I’ve been reading Job lately and this man lost everything, actually God allowed everything to be taken from him, and Job says “Even if He kills me, I will trust Him.” Sounds like Abraham. When God told him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, Abraham believed God would raise his son from the dead if He had to in order to keep His promise.
The stories of these two OT men should have revealed that God’s ways man be perplexing to us, but they stretch us search deeper for His heart so that we can more clearly understand His ways.
Apply their knowledge of God’s ability to their present circumstances. Jesus allowed the disciples, actually pushed them into a situation where they would be tested to apply the lessons from the past. In vs. 45 it says he ‘made’ or forced them to get in the boat and go. Then later on in vs. 48 it says Jesus saw them ‘straining’ at the oars. The Greek word used here means testing.
Let’s not move too quickly past this point. Jesus intentionally put the disciples in a situation that would test them.
Popular teachers today will promise you that if you follow their ‘teaching’ and do what they tell you that you won’t face trials in life. What’s interesting to me is that Jesus seemed to intentionally put the disciples in very difficult situations forcing them to deal with their baggage, doubts, and fears.
They struggled to apply what they knew of God to their situation and all of these years later we have the benefit of learning from the disciples experience in the boat that day.
Here’s what we know about Him….
Jesus intercedes for us vs. 46 He went up to the mountain to pray but did He pray about? One thing we know based on all of Jesus’ other recorded prayers is that He prayed for His disciples. It says in Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He (Jesus) is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Jesus has His eye on us vs. 48 Jesus had His eye on them long before they were aware of Him. Like a mother who watches her child from afar. The little one is unaware of their watchful eye, but when a threat appears mom comes to their side. Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy…
Jesus will be with us (even if He has to walk on water to do it!) vs. 48-49 It certainly didn’t happen the way the disciples would have wanted, but it all came together just the way Jesus did and there was nothing that could separate them from His presence.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Knowing the stories about Jesus wasn’t what He wanted. He wanted them to learn what it meant to follow him and see that truth transform their thoughts, actions and ultimately their life.
What’s your trial today? What impossible situation are you facing that God is allowing so that you can apply what you know about Him?
Labels: disciples, Mark 6:45-53, Messiah, radical, storm, walking, water
posted by Jerry Stitzel @ 11:21 AM
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