vs 45 What reasons do you think Jesus had for sending the Disciples on ahead? How would you feel if you were one of the Disciples? How do you usually respond when God asks you to do something you don’t understand?

Although the disciples were about to learn an important lesson, the main reason Jesus sent the disciples on ahead was so that he could get alone with God. I wonder if the Disciples really understood why Jesus sent them on ahead. They usually were with him, but now they were going out on their own. This must have been confusing to them. Has God ever asked you to do something that you don’t understand? Usually we respond with fear and confusion, but Jesus wants us to respond in faith.

46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

vs 46 Can you find other examples in the Gospels when Jesus went alone to pray? How often do you think Jesus got alone to pray? How important was prayer to Jesus? How often do you get alone to pray? How important is prayer to you?

Here are examples of other times when Jesus got alone to pray.

Matthew 26:36, "Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, Sit here while I go over there and pray." Luke 6:12, "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." Mark 1:35, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Luke 9:18, "Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, Who do the crowds say I am?" Luke 5:16, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

Prayer was obviously very important to Jesus. How important is it to us? We need to set aside time each day to be alone with God and pray to him. God wants us to commune with him. When we don’t, we miss an important spiritual strengthening.

47 When evening came, 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. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them.

vs 47-48 What picture do you get from verse 47 and the first sentence of verse 48? When was the fourth watch? Why would Jesus appear to be passing the boat by?

When reading these verses, I got a picture of Jesus sitting alone on the mountain looking out to the Disciples in the middle of the sea. He saw that they were having trouble with their boat. So he goes out to not only help them, but learn a lesson of faith that is so important if they are to be trained as servants of God.

J. Vernon McGee points out, "You may be in a hard spot right now; you may be sitting alone in a corner of darkness. You may be facing temptations and problems that are too great to bear. You may find yourself out on a stormy sea and you feel as if your little boat is going down. I have some good news for you, Christian friend. ‘He saw them toiling in rowing.’ He sees you. He knows your problems. You don’t have to send up a flare to let Him know. He already knows."

49 But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out.

vs 49 Why would the men think Jesus was a ghost? How would you respond to someone walking on the water? What about God sometimes scares you?

Why did they think Jesus was a ghost? First of all, they weren’t looking for him. The last place they expected to find Jesus was walking on the water. We can fault the disciples, but sometimes we’re the same way. We are in the midst of our struggles busy trying to solve the problems ourselves, and we never look to see if Jesus is around to help us. We may even feel that God has abandoned us, and maybe start to think the tempest we’re facing is some kind of punishment from Him. So we never look for Jesus. And if we do spot something resembling the Lord, we assume it must be a shadow, an illusion, a ghost.

Another reason they might have thought Jesus was a ghost was because the crashing waves of water on the boat formed a foggy mist which made Jesus appear surreal. Even though Jesus was there, he was masked by the mists of the storm.

There may be things about God that frighten you. Perhaps it’s difficult for you to understand his judgement and punishment. But remember, Jesus came not to frighten the disciples but to rescue them. You may be going through a dark time. You may only see the mists of the crashing waves, but be assured Jesus is right there standing in the midst of the tumult ready to help.

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."

vs 50 Why did Jesus speak to them? What were the three things Jesus said that would calm them? What words of assurance has Christ given you when you had doubts or fear?

As soon as they cried out in fear, Jesus spoke to them words of comfort. This verse tells us he spoke to them "immediately." When we seem overwhelmed by the turbulence of this life, it is then that Jesus speaks to us. Are we listening for his voice?

Notice the 3 things Jesus tells them: take heart, it is I, and have no fear.

2. It is I. There is only one who can truly help us. Sometimes we can figure things out ourselves, other times friends can help us, but no one knows what’s best for us like Jesus. If we haven’t gone to him yet, then we haven’t received the best help we can get.

3. Don’t be afraid. No matter how dark the storm may appear, we don’t need to fear. No matter what trials or difficulties you are going through, the Lord is beside you, so don’t be afraid.

Ellicott writes, "To hear the familiar tones and the cheering words was enough, even amid the howling of the winds and the dashing of the waves, to give them confidence and hope. We can scarcely doubt that in after years that moment came back to their recollection, invested for them, as it has since been for the Church at large, with something of a symbolic character. Often the sky became dark, and the waves of the troublesome world were rough, and the blasts of persecution beat on them, and the ark of Christ’s Church was tossed on the waters, and they were wearied and spent with rowing. They thought themselves abandoned, and then in the dim twilight they would see or feel once again the tokens of His presence. He was coming to them through the storm."

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.

vs 51-52 What reason does Mark give for their amazement? How are our hearts sometimes hardened so we don’t believe or understand? Has Christ done miracles in your life?

Mark tells us that the disciples still had not learned the lesson of complete trust in God’s miracle-working power. They were looking at the storm around them instead of at God’s sovereign control over the sea and the wind. We are just as guilty as the disciples. How often do we become distracted by our troubles instead of believing in Christ?

MacDonald comments, "The church has seen in this miracle a picture of the present age and its close. Jesus on the mountain represents Christ in His present ministry in heaven, interceding for His people. The disciples represent His servants, buffeted by the storms and trials of life. Soon the Savior will return to His own, deliver them from danger and distress and guide them safe to the heavenly shore."

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.

vs 53-54 Some think that Gennesaret is the same geographic area as Gerasenes. What happened at Gerasenes in Mark 5 that might make it understandable that the people would be receptive to receive Jesus? What does this teach us about the importance of sharing our faith?

Remember when we left the demoniac in Mark 5. He wanted to go with Jesus, but was told to stay there. Now we know why he was to stay there. He was preparing the people to receive Christ’s ministry. The last time Jesus was here, the people chased him away. They were frightened by his miracles. This time they embraced him with open arms. This is an important lesson in sharing our faith. As we tell others about Christ, they will be more open to receive his teaching.

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 him were healed.

vs 55-56 Why would the people have so much faith that Jesus could heal? How many were healed? Share how God has healed you in the past?

The people had seen what God had done in the demoniac’s life. They saw a real change. We have all known people who lived wicked and unfruitful lives who have been transformed by Christ. Everyone is amazed over the change. This is what happened here. The people realized that Christ could heal them? Do you realize that Jesus can heal you? Notice verse 56 says, "all who touched him were healed." Reach out in faith to Christ. God is still in the healing business.

This study on Mark 6:45-56 © 1999 by David Humpal, all rights reserved.
All scriptures unless otherwise noted are from the New International Version © 1971, Zondervan Bible Publishers

Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, vol. 4, pg. 188 © 1983, Thomas Nelson Publishers

Ellicott’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, vol. VI, pg. 89, Zondervan Publishing House