Mark 6:47-51
When evening came, the boat was out on the lake, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the lake. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased.
This scene is familiar, but different.
If you were reminded of the earlier story of the disciples caught in the storm at sea, that would make sense. The disciples are in a boat again, crossing from the deserted place to which Jesus had earlier led them back to the coast of the Sea of Galilee. He had sent them ahead, as you’ll remember, so that he could have some time in prayer.
That was near evening. Now it is much later, sometime toward the break of a new day, when Jesus sees they haven’t made it very far. They are working hard, straining at the oars, but have made little headway into a strong wind. So Jesus comes to them, walking on the water.
The next line is curious: he intended to pass them by. Was he only checking on them? Did he not want to reveal his power and glory in this way? We don’t know. It’s one of those curious details, perhaps handed down in the telling of the “Jesus story” that Mark includes.
While we don’t know exactly why he was going to pass them by, however, we do know that he adapted and changed his plans, responding to their obvious need.
But what, precisely, is their need? Is it for a calm wind, or settled hearts? They are again afraid, you see, terrified by the presence of Jesus because when they saw him walking on the water they assumed it was a ghost. It’s often like that, I think, with things beyond our experience. Lacking a category by which to process something, we are terrified.
And so he calls out: “Take heart: it is I; do not be afraid.”
Has Jesus done that for you? Oh, perhaps not walking on water to step into a boat, but perhaps through the phone call of a friend to see how you’re doing, or through the concern of a child or the love of a parent, or maybe through the caress of a loved one, the prayers of a neighbor, or even the sermon or hymn of a church service.
The scenes are familiar, yet different. For we find ourselves in need many times, yet often in slightly different ways, and Jesus always reaches out, sometimes in unexpected ways. And at times the very unexpectedness – or even ordinariness – may surprise us. But the intent and impact are the same: “Take heart: it is I; do not be afraid.”
Prayer: Dear God, help us to recognize your presence in our lives in extraordinary and ordinary ways, that we may be renewed in faith and courage. And grant that when we see others in need we might likewise encourage them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Post image: Detail of a glass painting by Faroese artist, Tróndur Patursson, from The Catholic Church, Tórshavn, Føroyar.
Recent Comments