Slices
Prepare
Jesus often withdrew to be alone and to pray. Before you read today, offer yourself to God again in prayer. Let him know what is on your heart. Of what are you afraid?
Bible passage
Jesus walks on the water
45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognised Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried those who were ill on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went – into villages, towns or countryside – they placed those who were ill in the market-places. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Explore
The disciples experienced the miraculous provision of God through the feeding of the 5,000, but failed to understand that he can be trusted in all circumstances. Hence in the storm they are afraid. Fortunately, Jesus has his eye on them.
Jesus sees them straining at the oars, the wind against them and their anxiety rising. It is easy to think in difficult situations that we have been forgotten, but that is never the case. He is aware of their plight, and comes to them, walking on the water.
Jesus then joins them, climbing into the boat. They are in this together, a wonderful reminder that Jesus wants to join us in our struggles and fears. Imagine that: Jesus is in the boat with you! Once we realise he is present, calmness returns.
As soon as they land, crowds run to meet Jesus. Jesus responds to them, making himself available to them in their need. Never be afraid of asking Jesus for help, as if he might be too busy or disinterested.
He always has time for us. Here is a much-needed lesson in trust. The trials of life present us all with the opportunity to exercise our faith.
Respond
How is God calling you to trust him? What situations invite you to ask his help, and trust him for the outcome?
Deeper Bible study
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’1 Thank you, Jesus, that you are with us, even in the storms of life.
While Jesus takes time out from his ministry (see also yesterday’s notes), he sends his disciples across the Sea of Galilee. With a strong headwind, the boat journey is far from easy. This episode is marked by five actions from Jesus – he sends, sees, comes, speaks and gets on board. First, Jesus sends the disciples, arguably knowingly,2 into an adverse situation. We cannot be certain, but Jesus appears to be testing their trust in him after they had experienced a similar situation earlier.3
Next, Jesus sees the disciples’ struggle and comes to them, although not immediately. There is a significant time lapse between his seeing their need in the evening (v 47) and his coming to them early in the morning (v 48). This should reassure us that Jesus sees our need and comes to our aid, even when it does not happen straight away. When Jesus reaches the disciples, he speaks into their distress and climbs aboard, at which moment the danger passes. ‘It is I’ (v 50) is literally ‘I AM’, echoing God’s self-revelation to Moses.4 When the Son of God, who can still storms, heal the sick and feed the hungry, steps into our situations, we need not be afraid.
The disciples show various reactions when Jesus joins them in their adversity. First, they cry out and are terrified because they do not realise that it is Jesus. Second, after Jesus comes aboard and the storm ceases, they are astounded because they had not understood the meaning of the loaves (v 52). This puzzling explanation probably suggests that the disciples could have seen that if Jesus can miraculously provide food, he can also provide in other situations of need. Faith is the proper response to Jesus in challenging situations,5 but the disciples often respond with fear or amazement.
When you face an adverse situation, how do you react? Have faith and be encouraged that God sees your situation and comes to you.
1 Heb 13:5 2 Cf Mark 2:8 3 Mark 4:35–41 4 Exod 3:14 5 See Mark 2:4,5
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Song of Songs 5,6; 1 Timothy 5
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray that God’s message of hope will settle deep in the hearts of those children and young people, and that ultimately they will know the joy of accepting Jesus as their Saviour.
