45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. (Mark 6:45-52 KJV)
Jesus Walks on the Water
This story was also told in Matthew 14:22 and following, though what was said there about Peter is left out here. Jesus sent the crowd away—the crowd he fed. He made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to Bethsaida, intending to follow them later. The people were reluctant to leave, especially after being fed—they weren’t in a hurry to go. But as long as we are in this world, we have no lasting home, not even in our time with Christ. The everlasting feast is reserved for the life to come.
Jesus went up a mountain to pray. He prayed often and for long periods, despite how much preaching he had to do. This encourages us to trust in his ongoing intercession for us at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34). He went alone to pray, not because he needed to avoid distractions or appearances, but to set an example and encourage private prayer. With no closet, he used the mountain. A godly person is never less alone than when alone with God.
The disciples were in distress at sea. The wind was against them (Mark 6:48), and they were struggling to row forward. This was a preview of the challenges they would face when Jesus later sent them out to preach the gospel, like sailing into the wind. They would have to work hard, strive against opposition, and endure hardships. The church is often like a ship tossed on the sea: even with Christ for us, the wind and waves may still be against us. But it is a comfort that Christ is in the heavenly mount, praying for his disciples.
Jesus came to them on the water. He could have calmed the wind from where he was or sent an angel to help, but instead, he came himself in the most personal and comforting way.
He didn’t come until the fourth watch of the night—after 3 a.m.—but he did come. If Christ’s help is delayed, it will still arrive in time. Our crisis is his opportunity to appear more clearly. Even if salvation seems delayed, it will not fail to arrive at the right moment (Habakkuk 2:3).
He came walking on the sea, though it was rough. Yet the waves did not stop him, for “the Lord on high is mightier” (Psalm 93:3-4). Nothing can hinder Christ’s gracious help when the appointed time comes. “Deep calls to deep… By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me” (Psalm 42:7-8).
He intended to pass by them, as if he didn’t notice them. This was to stir them to cry out to him. Sometimes it seems like God’s providence ignores our situation, even when it is actually working for our good. Though they thought he would pass by, he would not.
They were terrified, thinking he was a ghost. They all saw him and were frightened (Mark 6:50), imagining it was a spirit or evil presence causing the storm. Often, we scare ourselves with illusions created by our own imagination.
Jesus calmed their fears by revealing himself. He said, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6:50). We cannot truly know Christ until he makes himself known to us. “It is I, your Master, your Friend, your Redeemer and Savior. I came to this troubled earth, and now to this stormy sea, to find you.”
Knowing Christ—who he is, and that he is near—is enough to make his disciples cheerful even in a storm. If Christ is with you, be encouraged and do not be afraid. Our fears vanish when our misunderstandings are cleared up, especially about Christ. See Genesis 21:19; 2 Kings 6:15-17. His presence on a stormy day is reason enough for hope, even when darkness surrounds us.
He said, “It is I.” He didn’t need to explain further—they recognized his voice, just as sheep know their shepherd’s voice (John 10:4). The bride in Song of Songs twice says, “It is the voice of my beloved!” (Song of Songs 2:8; 5:2). He said ego eimi—“I am,” which is God’s name when he came to deliver Israel (Exodus 3:14). So it is Christ’s name now, as he comes to rescue his disciples. When he said “I am he” to those who came to arrest him, they fell back (John 18:6). But when he says it to those who seek him in faith, they are lifted up and comforted.
He got into the boat with them, sharing their condition, and immediately their fear was gone. With their Master beside them, all was well. As soon as he entered the boat, the wind stopped. In a previous storm, he had rebuked the wind and said, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39); but here we don’t read of any command—just that the wind ceased. Christ always completes his work effectively, even if not always with great ceremony. Even if we don’t hear the command, if the wind stops and we find peace, it is because Christ is present and his will has gone forth before we even realize it (Song of Songs 6:12). When we are with Christ in heaven, the storm will stop at once—there are no storms above.
They were more surprised and overwhelmed by this miracle than they should have been. Their astonishment had a fault: they were amazed beyond reason. They reacted as if it were something new and unbelievable, though Christ had already done many miracles. They should have been in awe of his power and grown stronger in faith, but not confused. Why such shock? Because they didn’t take the miracle of the loaves seriously enough. If they had, they wouldn’t have been so surprised. Multiplying bread was just as great a sign of divine power as walking on water. Their minds were dull, and their hearts were hardened. This is why people are so amazed at God’s current works—as if nothing like it had ever happened before—when in fact they’ve just failed to understand his earlier works.