Moments With the Gospel series: Jesus walking on Water Mk 6

MOMENTS WITH THE GOSPEL.

Moments with the Gospel Icon.

Welcome to my series Moments with the Gospel.  In this series, I will share with you some of my moments I have had with the gospel- questions, thoughts, ideas. Although I have moments with the Gospel every day, I will share  weekly for this series.

Jesus  walking on water and the Miracle of the 5000.

 There were 2 questions which emerged as I was meditating on Mk 6:45-52.  

1. Why did Jesus as he was walking on the water pass them by when earlier in the gospel it says that Jesus could see that they were weary and that they were batting the elements.
2. What is the connection between Jesus walking on the water and the miracle of the 5000?

Meditating on Mark 6:45-52 invites deep reflection on Jesus' intentions and the connection between His miracles.

1. Why did Jesus want to pass them by?

The phrase "He intended to pass them by" (Mk 6:48) can be puzzling. Here are some theological interpretations:

• Divine Revelation: In the Old Testament, God often "passed by" individuals as a way of revealing His glory and presence (e.g., Exodus 33:19-22 with Moses; 1 Kings 19:11-13 with Elijah). Jesus walking on the water may have been intended as a theophany—a moment where His divine identity is revealed.
• Testing Faith: Jesus saw the disciples' weariness and struggle, but He may have "passed by" to test their faith and their recognition of Him. Just as He tested their faith with the loaves, this moment challenges their understanding of who He is.
• Symbol of Divine Nearness: Though it seemed He was passing by, He was always near, demonstrating that God's presence is constant, even when we do not immediately recognize it. The disciples' fear and confusion mirror how we often fail to see God in challenging moments.

 

2. Connection to the Miracle of the Loaves

The feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on water are closely linked, both in context and meaning:

• Hardness of Heart: Mark explicitly states that the disciples "had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened" (Mk 6:52). The miracle of the loaves revealed Jesus' power as the provider, yet they struggled to grasp its spiritual significance. Similarly, they failed to recognize Him walking on water, despite His divine actions.
  
  
• Trust in Provision: The miracle of the loaves demonstrated Jesus' ability to meet the needs of the people. On the lake, the disciples' weariness and fear echoed the crowd's hunger—Jesus was showing them that He is the source of provision and strength in all circumstances, whether physical or spiritual.
  
  
• Revelation of Identity: Both miracles reveal Jesus' divine nature. In feeding the multitude, He showed Himself as the Bread of Life, echoing God's provision of manna in the wilderness. Walking on water echoed God's mastery over creation, recalling passages like Psalm 77:19: "Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters."

 

Reflection for Meditation:

• Divine Presence in Struggle: How often do we fail to recognize Jesus when we are weary or afraid? How can we grow in trust, knowing that He is always near, even when it feels like He is "passing by"?
• Understanding the Loaves: What does the miracle of the loaves teach you about God's abundance and His care for your needs? How does this connect to your faith in His provision during life's storms?

These moments invite us to recognize Jesus not just as a teacher or miracle worker but as the Son of God, always near, always providing, and always calling us to deeper faith.

What moments do you have with this Gospel?