(1) Difficult word:
v.48b As the night was ending, he came to them walking on the sea, for he wanted to pass by them.
(NET) The statement he wanted to pass by them is somewhat difficult to understand. There are at least two common interpretations: (1) it refers to the perspective of the disciples, that is, from their point of view it seemed that Jesus wanted to pass by them; or (2) it refers to a theophany and uses the language of the Greek Old Testament (LXX) when God “passed by” Moses at Sinai (cf. Exod 33:19, 22). According to the latter alternative, Jesus is “passing by” the disciples during their struggle, in order to assure them of his presence with them.
(2) The connection with the previous passage
a. Jesus and the disciples were planning to escape to an isolated place and rest v.31 before the miracles of 5 loaves and 2 fish. After that Jesus had dispersed the crowd v.45 and had made His disciples get to Bethsaida v.45 He was finally alone and prayed v.46. However, when He saw them straining by the wind He came to them v.48.
Reflection: Lately, no matter on a personal level or in the church level there were so many issues. I know that Jesus was watching over me. He saw His disciples in troubles and He would put down His rest and come to them. He will not abandon me when I pray to Him. God always listens.
b. At the end of the miracle, Mark wrote,
v.51b They were completely astonished, 6:52 because they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
In 4:35-41, Jesus also claimed the wind and sea. Mark did not compare this miracle to the similar miracle in chapter 4, and concluded that the disciples' hearts were hardened even when they saw the similar things twice and not understood. Instead, Mark compared the miracles about loaves which had just happened. I think Mark wanted to point out that the disciples should have thought when these 2 miracles happened together. The disciples should have known clearly from the miracles of loaves that Jesus was the Messiah. When they saw the miracle of walking on the Sea they should have known that He is God, the Creator of the Sea (and everything else).
In 4:35-41, Jesus also claimed the wind and sea. Mark did not compare this miracle to the similar miracle in chapter 4, and concluded that the disciples' hearts were hardened even when they saw the similar things twice and not understood. Instead, Mark compared the miracles about loaves which had just happened. I think Mark wanted to point out that the disciples should have thought when these 2 miracles happened together. The disciples should have known clearly from the miracles of loaves that Jesus was the Messiah. When they saw the miracle of walking on the Sea they should have known that He is God, the Creator of the Sea (and everything else).
Reflection: When we experience God's work in our lives we need to think. Two things happening at the same time do not mean they have any relationship, but sometimes they do. Do we really understand Who God is? Or are our hearts hardened and we still not understand?
Audrey
Comments