David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 6:48

And about the fourth watch of the night [Jesus] came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them…

I still remember the day we did pass by the entrance to the park and the stock car races. Our family was out for a summer evening drive and we just happened to be driving past the pace where the stock cars raced on a dirt track. I was 9 or 10 years old and the idea of going to watch the races was high on my list of fun things to do. So when my dad made a comment about it and began to turn into the park I was really excited. But then he remembered: I had gotten into trouble and was grounded from such things as a punishment. I was as disappointed as I had been excited. I think maybe this was actually part of the punishment that my parents had determined for me – to remind me of my poor choices and the consequences. Mission accomplished.

That Jesus meant to pass by the disciples as they strained against the winds and waves on the lake is no punishment. There is nothing in this account to indicate that his actions were punitive. But to think that Jesus would pass us by: now that’s a big disappointment any way you put it.

Most commentators suggest that this is a sort of ploy by Jesus; that he had no intention of going on past them. This is much like my dad having no intention of going to the stock car races – only to the good. The thought is that Jesus’ actions were designed to elicit a call out to him for help. Surely, they reason, Jesus would not pass by his disciples. God’s loving providence may appear not to touch our need, but God has a care for the sparrow and the lily; his care reaches to you and me in all things.

Jon Ortberg has another idea. He suggests that the word “pass by” is reflective of God’s hiding Moses in the cleft of the rock and passing by, revealing his glory. In other words, this act of Jesus was an intentional revelation of his glory, and his intention was not to pass by by means of ignoring the disciples, but to let his glory be seen by them.

I’m not certain whether if I had to choose between having Jesus’ help in a critical moment or being able to see the true glory of Jesus in that same moment, which I would choose. Thankfully the disciples don’t have to choose either. For Jesus’ appearance and the disciples’ rescue are one in the same. The true glory of God is that he loves us and helps us and delights in our worship out of deep thankfulness and true love.

Jesus is in control of all things. His providencial care for us reaches far into the clefts of our lives. His salvation excites a great love from us. Jesus did not pass by the disciples. He will not overlook those who call out to him in their time of need.

Mark 6:45-56

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶ And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. ⁴⁷ And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. ⁴⁸ And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, ⁴⁹ but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, ⁵⁰ 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.” ⁵¹ And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, ⁵² for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

⁵³ When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. ⁵⁴ And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him ⁵⁵ and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. ⁵⁶ And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.