Jesus Walks on Water (Mark 6:45-56)

Last week we looked at a 2-for-1 miracle: the feeding of the 5000 in chapter 6 and the feeding of the 4000 in chapter 8. We saw that Jesus had to perform this miracle twice for the sake of his slow-to-believe disciples because they were still trying to wrap their heads around his true identity. They were still learning that Jesus isn’t just fully man, but he’s also fully God. 

Today’s lesson is more of the same. It was just a few weeks ago that we read about Jesus calming the storm in a boat with his disciples (Mark 4:35-41). We asked this question: “How do you react to fear?” And we listed 4 options: fight, flight, freeze, or faith. (Slide) Today’s story in chapter 6 is going to feel a little bit like a repeat: the disciples in a boat, afraid in a storm, waiting for Jesus to bring calm. 

It’s tempting to skip the story, but Mark didn’t. He wanted us to see the disciples, warts and all. They were slow to learn the true identity of Jesus, and so are we. So let’s tell the story. But first, let’s start with a question:

1. Are you facing a storm right now?

• Relationship issue
• Financial situation. Bills piling up
• Changes at your job
• Crisis of faith (fear, doubt, worry)

You can’t choose the timing or frequency of storms in your life. For thousands of years, the people of God have faced trials – and God has shown up to deliver them. It’s a theme we can trace all the way back to Exodus.   

• Trans: Today’s miracle is well-known. But before we read it in Mark, we need to give it some context…

Water miracles were front and center in the Jewish faith. The story of the parting of the Red Sea forms a backdrop for Jesus’ walking on water miracle. 

• Parting the Red Sea
  • Slide: Ex 3:7-8 Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them…”
    • You know the story… parting of the Red Sea 
    • Ps 77: 19 Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there! 
    • See also Crossing the Jordan River
      • Joshua 3 7 The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses.
      • 14 So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. 15 It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, 16 the water above that point began backing up a great distance away…
• Trans: Now we’re set for the Mark story…

Life’s Storms

God is never surprised when storms break out. He sees your struggle and he has the power to act – but he might not do it on your timeframe.

• Now that we have context, let’s read today’s miracle.
  • Slide: Mark 6:45-46 (NLT) Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
  • Slide: Mark 6:47-49 (NLT) Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost.

• Following Jesus is not a storm-free guarantee
  • We see that throughout scripture
  • You’ve probably seen it in your own life.
• Notice two things: 
  • (1) Jesus was watching them in their struggle
  • (2) but he did not act right away.
• My example
  • Health scare, crying out to God

Trans: He has the power to act in his time, Like the Red Sea, Jordan River

I Am Here

Jesus encouraged the disciples with a familiar Old Testament refrain: “I am here.” Though they were still trying to understand his true identity, everything changed when they let Jesus in the boat. Mark 6:50-52, Exodus 3:14

• Slide: Mark 6:50-52 (NLT) They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance (ie, his true identity) of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.
  • Nugget: they were still trying to understand Christ’s true identity, even after all the miracles. The journey would continue for them through the Book of Mark.
  • Note on text: or “The “I AM” is here”
    • (Bible Knowledge Commentary (2 Vols.)) The words It is I (lit., “I am,” egō eimi) may simply convey self-identification (“It is I, Jesus”), but they are probably intended here to echo the Old Testament formula of God’s self-revelation: “I am who I am” (cf. Ex. 3:14; Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 51:12; 52:6).
    • Slide: Exodus 3:14 God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.”
      • Jn 8 58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!”
  • When Jesus said this, they were at peace. 

Sinking Faith

Matthew 14:28-31 (NLT) Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

Close

• What about YOU? Do you understand the true identity of Christ – that he is the Great I Am? 
  • The one who parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River
  • The one who walked on water in the storm
  • His name is Jesus
• The disciples let him in the boat. Will you?
  • Slide: Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
    • We already saw that this command, “fear not”, appears 365 times in the Bible! But the bigger insight is the reason given…
    • “For I AM with you…”
      • Optional: Job 9:8 He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea.
      • Optional: Pr 30:4 Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name—and his son’s name? Tell me if you know!
• This section of scripture ends with more proof that Jesus is God: 
  • Slide: Mark 6:53-56 (NLT) After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. They brought the boat to shore and climbed out. The people recognized Jesus at once, and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.
  • Do you need Jesus to show up today?