Context No. 3340 of 4322 · Mark
Context · Reflection
Mark 6:45-56: in context
45Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away. 46After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray. 47When evening had come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them, 49but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50for they all saw him and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” 51He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled; 52for they hadn’t understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. 53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, 55and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick on their mats to where they heard he was. 56Wherever he entered—into villages, or into cities, or into the country—they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.
The disciples strain at the oars against a contrary wind, and in the darkest part of the night Jesus comes to them, walking on the sea. When they cry out in terror, thinking him a ghost, he speaks the words that steady them: take heart, it is I; do not be afraid. He climbs into the boat, and the wind ceases.
But Mark adds a telling note: they were astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. They had just seen Jesus feed thousands from a few loaves, yet they had not grasped who he was, so his coming on the water astonished them all over again. We can witness God's provision and still fail to let it teach us who he is. The remedy for fear on the stormy sea is the same as it was at the feeding: to know that it is he, present with us, saying, do not be afraid. What he has already done for us is meant to steady us in the next storm.
Do I let what God has already done teach me who he is, so that when new storms come I can hear him say "it is I, do not be afraid"?