Walk On Water!

For Saturday, January 20, 2024:

Mark 6:48b NLT “About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.”

The Sea of Galilee, 64 sq. miles of Jordan river water between the Golan Heights and Galilee, is the lowest freshwater lake on earth. It sits in the valley where the African continent touches the Arabian countries. Therefore the lake is known for earthquakes, volcanic activity and generally bad weather. So it’s not surprising that a storm would come up as the disciples were returning to Bethsaida.

From the shore, Jesus could see that they were in trouble. So he walked out to take a look – walking ON the water! Those in the boat were frightened, thinking they had seen a ghost! But Jesus comforted them. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!”

As Jesus stepped into the boat, the storm subsided and the travelers continued safely to the other shore. Everything that had happened in the last couple of days was a lot for the disciples to take in. Much of it they didn’t yet understand: the huge crowd assembling to hear Jesus; the feeding of thousands from five little barley loaves and a couple of fish; Jesus apparently being able to control the weather – and now walking on water! How does he do that? When time allowed, the disciples would have a lot of questions for the Master!

Each of us should have a lot of questions for the Master! Some answers we can get from the Bible, or from a good Bible teacher. We need to know the answers so that as we’re leading others to Jesus, we can answer their questions!

We accept a few things simply through faith. Perhaps all will be explained when we reach heaven – or maybe not! That’s OK. When all of our travelers reached the opposite shore and disembarked, word of Jesus’ arrival spread like wildfire! If the sick could just touch the hem of his garment, they were fully healed. We don’t really need to know HOW he did it; just that it happened – predictably and repeatedly!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship