Mark 6:45-5645And 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. 46And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48And 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. 49But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50For 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. 51And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. 53And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 54And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, 55And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. (Mark 6:45‑56)
After Jesus had supplied the meal for the great company of people in the wilderness, He told His disciples to go in the boat to another place on the shore of Galilee, and He went alone on the mountain near to pray.
The disciples seem not to have gone toward Bethsaida, as Jesus said, but toward another place (John 6:1717And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. (John 6:17)). They rowed very hard all night, but the wind was against them, and at the 4th watch, which was the early morning, they were still far from the shore, and were very tired and discouraged.
But there in the stormy sea, those men saw a wonderful sight: Jesus walking on the water coming to them; He kept on, as though, for them all to see that He was walking. At first the men were greatly frightened and thought Jesus was a spirit, until He spoke to them, telling them to be of good cheer; He said, “It is I; be not afraid.”
Jesus came into the boat with them and the wind stopped. The disciples were filled with wonder that Jesus had walked on the water, more than at all else they had seen. They knew He had power to cure all sickness, feed the hungry, raise the dead, and they had before heard Him still a storm. They believed His power was from God, and that He would he their King; they loved Him, and had left all to be with Him.
But when they saw Jesus walk upon the sea, they realized that He was Himdelf, different from all others, that He was One of Heaven, the Son of God (Matt. 14:3333Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (Matthew 14:33)). Because Jesus lived so humble a life, they had believed Him only as God’s prophet and King. He was not a spirit; which they could not see (Luke 24:37-3937But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (Luke 24:37‑39)), but a perfect man, yet divine. This is a mystery we do not understand, but all who have truly learned of Jesus, reverence Him as the holy Son of God. That is the reason His words, His deeds, and His death on the cross for sins, have such value.
When Jesus and the disciples landed on shore, and people saw Him, they all hurried to bring their sick friends or relatives to be healed. It seems there were too many for Him to go to each one, and they carried the sick ones on their beds or blankets, and placed them beside the road where Jesus would pass, and begged Him that they could touch but the border of His garment.
“As many as touched Him were made whole.”
This shows how constantly and patiently Jesus kept on going to all the villages to do good for all as God’s Servant; no one was missed, who reacd out to Him for help.
Do you suppose there was a sick one who was not willing to put out his hand to touch Jesus? Such a one would be carried home again, still helpless. Many now miss a far greater blessing from the Lord Jesus.
Although He is now the Risen One in Heaven, we may “come” to Him in as simple a way as the sick ones: if we believe He is our Saviour, we “touch” Him by faith, and His power gives eternal life to the soul.
ML 02/20/1944