Thursday 14 November 2024
“Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” (v. 50)
Background
The story of Jesus walking on the water puzzles us. It’s not something that we have ever seen or experienced for ourselves. It’s difficult even to imagine it in a coherent way and we have no idea how it may have happened. It is tempting, therefore, to pass over this reading. quickly, not least because we wish to avoid the sort of ridicule of Jesus in which Herod indulges, in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, as he invites Jesus to 'walk across his swimming pool'.
More helpful, however, are the 18th-century poet William Cowper’s lines: “God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform; he plants his footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.” (Singing the Faith 104)
Cowper may well have been under mental pressure at the time, but he had keen insight into the mystery of God. On the lake at night time, battling against a storm, the disciples were offered a new invitation into the truth that Jesus was indeed someone very special. However this Jesus who “plants his footsteps in the sea” is also the God who draws near. Disciples discover him to be an awesome, terrifying God but also a God who comes alongside us at difficult times and brings calm.
Note, however, that Mark is critical of the disciples for not getting further than the natural astonishment of the crowds when they encountered Jesus. Mark describes their hearts – in other words their thinking and understanding – as being 'hardened' (v. 52). We hear echoes of the call of Isaiah in 6:10 of his prophecy in which God describes those who refuse to hear the message as having hardened hearts. In verse 52 Mark says the disciples failed to understand “about the loaves”, referring to the previous story of feeding the 5,000 (see yesterday's reflection). This may mean, as suggested yesterday, that they failed to understand that Jesus could be trusted even in the most difficult situations.
As we noted before, the feeding of the 5,000 may carry echoes of the Israelites being fed with manna in the Exodus story. In the same way, today's account may have echoes of the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to escape Pharaoh.
To Ponder:
- Jesus came to his disciples when they were struggling. Have you experienced a sense of God with you at difficult times? What difference did it make?
- What stands in the way of us understanding Jesus?
Prayer
Loving God, I want to love and trust you in every situation with all I am. Please forgive me when I fall short, turn me fully in your direction and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Donald Ker
Donald Ker is a supernumerary presbyter. Originally from Ireland, he now lives in the West Midlands.