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 recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
-Mark 6:45-56
In the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of us have been taking walks outside just to keep sane and to ward off cabin fever. Being stuck indoors for so long is tough. Now for most of us, it’s just walking around town sans the Tenafly track since it’s closed.
Apparently, that’s not how Jesus “takes a walk.” In the story, he wants to take a stroll and so he walks on water. Major Jesus flex. Also, Jesus is a fast water walker. Notice how in the story it says Jesus was about to overtake them. Another major Jesus flex.
What is shocking about this passage for me is not just Jesus walking on water and his speed, but what this story tells us about the hearts of the disciples. It says this in verses 51-52:
“They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.”
Just before, Jesus’ disciples saw him multiply food and feed over 5,000 people and yet the Bible tells us they’re not getting it. They’re still iffy about who Jesus is and what’s his purpose here on earth. Not going to lie, while reading this I got a little judgmental toward the disciples. I thought, “If I were one of Jesus’ disciples and saw him multiply food and walk on water, I would definitely be the most hardcore believer.”
But then the Holy Spirit humbles me. I realize that God HAS many times performed near-miracles and provided much-needed blessings at crucial moments in my life and at the time I would be like, “That’s amazing! I believe!” But then soon after my memory would fade and my faith would weaken. I’m just like the disciples.
What I love about this passage is Jesus doesn’t give up on the disciples. Even though Jesus knew that the disciples have hardened hearts and are still a long way from spiritual maturity, he sticks with them, invests in them, and loves them.
Jesus does the same for me and you. No matter where you are in your faith, Jesus is still sticking with you, he is still investing in you, and he still loves you. Sometimes we get caught up in the trap of thinking we’re not growing fast enough spiritually. Or there’s a habitual sin we just can’t seem to shake and it discourages us. Remember, Jesus is still with you, my friend!
May the truth of God’s faithfulness to us be a source of comfort and strength for you today.
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