Today’s passage: Mark 6:45-56
Helpful thoughts:
- Jesus sends His disciples ahead so He could have time alone to pray.
- The divinity of Christ is put on display in His “passing by” on the sea (Job 9:8) and in the sea being made still after He got on the boat.
- The disciples had previously asked, “Who then is this…?” (Mark 4:41). The answer to their questions is reiterated in Jesus’ actions after their hard hearts would not understand the miracle of feeding the 5,000.
- In the gospel account most informed by the eye-witness of Peter, the account of his walking on the water was not included (Matthew 14:28-33).
- The woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 wasn’t the only one healed simply by touching Jesus’ garment. Word was getting around. When Jesus came to Galilee, a crowd quickly developed.
Questions to consider:
- In what way is prayer part of our rest? How do you define rest? What would be a perfect day of rest in your mind? How can Jesus’ actions help us to sharpen our understanding?
- What contrasts are we seeing in the heart (Thinking, emotions and desires) of man and the heart of God as we continue to read this gospel account? How are the people responding to who Jesus is and what He is doing? How could they have responded differently (Better…)?
- How can this help us to rest in who God is, what He has promised, and what He has called us to be in this world?