Faith is a Choice – Mark 6:45-52

Faith is a Choice – Mark 6:45-52

And 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. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And 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. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For 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. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

I have heard many different teachings on this piece of scripture.  There are great lessons to be learned about the teacher’s patience, faith that can walk on water, or how Jesus meets us in the middle.  Maybe we could hear a lesson on how God is with us in the rough waters or in the storms of life.  Those are all good and are very encouraging teachings. 

However, in looking at the context of the gospel and what Mark has told us so far, I think those things become superficial to this story and miss the mark.  While there are truths to be learned, I don’t think those lessons are the points that Mark is making.  Remember the feeding of the 5000?  That was a huge miracle Jesus performed, revealing to his disciples that he is God. 

Jesus has spent time teaching, guiding, and even giving special authority to his disciples.  They were permitted by his authority to perform works like he did.  They received direct commissions to teach the Kingdom Gospel.  Jesus had been slowly teaching them so that their eyes could be opened.  Jesus knows that he will not be with them for much longer, that he must go to Jerusalem and to the cross.  Jesus is grooming his disciples to carry on the work of his ministry in his absence. They are essentially set apart to be his image bearers. He is ready to teach deeper lessons. But they have to learn this one first.  They have to learn to choose to have faith in who Jesus is.

Isaiah said, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” (Isaiah 28:9-12). In this scripture, Isaiah tell us that the LORD wanted to teach knowledge, the knowledge was good to bring them rest, and security.  However, they refused to hear.  They refused to believe it.  It was a choice to continue in unbelief.

Paul tells us that new believers cannot handle complex doctrines at first.  They must be taught as babes in Christ.  He stated, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2). It is the same sad condition.  The believers that Paul was speaking to were destined to learn greater things; however, they had refused to walk in faith, believing what they had already been taught.  In their refusal to believe, they had missed their opportunity to grow in faith.

Let me ask you, when you read the story today, did you get the impression that Jesus was coming to rescue the disciples?  Did you think that Jesus sent his disciples away in the boat, and while he was praying, an unexpected event happened?  Did Jesus’ prayer time get interrupted because these seasoned fishermen were acting like novice anglers on the sea?

Many times, that is the way it is taught.  The disciples are in trouble, and the savior comes to save them.  However, I want you to consider that Jesus was not walking on the water to save them, but that he was going to the other shore, and used this circumstance to teach them the same lesson they had previously failed to comprehend in the feeding of the 5000.  Jesus was giving them another lesson to reinforce the lesson they had misunderstood. Sometimes we need to see the same things repeatedly in different ways before they sink in. 

I was horrible at math and could not get the simplest formulas until someone finally took the time to explain and demonstrate that different types of math had different purposes, and you just had to remember the rules based on what math you were using.  This means that Modular Arithmetic had different rules from Algebra, but the rules were consistent with the form used.

Jesus was not caught off guard by the plight of the disciples.  The story tells us that “he saw them toiling”. 

Scripture:

• Job 34:21 – For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
• 1 Peter 3:12 – For the eyes of the LORD are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the LORD is against them that do evil.”

So, the LORD knew very well what was happening.  He may very well have intended to pass by, or at least he gave that impression. Nonetheless, when he knew the need of the disciples, he drew near to them.

Verse 48 says, And 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… HE WOULD HAVE PASSED THEM BY!

Jesus saw them.  Jesus knew that they were struggling; he knew they were exhausted from their efforts.  Yet he intended to pass them by, go on to the other side, and wait for them. He was testing their metal. Jesus was expecting them to have faith, to trust that even though he was not with them, he was still in control. They were still in good hands.

Instead, when they saw him, they did not recognize him and were afraid that he was a ghost.  The Greek wording here means that they were terrified. They were afraid for their lives that this apparition had appeared in the storm; perhaps to take them to hades.

This is when Jesus told them, “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid”. Then the winds ceased, and the sea calmed.  But the disciples were still troubled, “beyond measure”.  The scripture tells us that it was because they did not understand what had been revealed to them in the feeding of the 5000; they had hardened their hearts. If they had remembered and applied the revelation they had received about Jesus, they would not have feared, and their faith would have remained strong. They would have seen that there was nothing that Jesus could not do.  

They had failed to respond to the previously given revelation.  This was a choice they had made. Hey chose to ignore the magnitude of what had happened in the feeding.  They failed to see the symbolism that would have revealed that Jesus is the bread of life.  They failed to see that he is the God who is the source of life. Scripture does not say that God hardened their hearts, like he did to Pharaoh.  It was a choice they made, just like the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes; the disciples’ hard-heartedness caused them to ignore the overwhelming evidence presented, and they chose not to believe. 

They were taught parables and given answers to understand them.  They had seen all the miracles.  They heard the testimony of John the Baptist.  They heard the voice of God testifying.  They saw the Holy Spirit testifying. They had been involved in the feeding of the 5000.  Somehow, they had just decided that it was not possible that he was God.  “Sure, blessed by God, sent by God, but really God…?”

How many atheists have purposely hidden their eyes from the truth?  Purposely not seeing the evidence of God in the sciences that are all around them: the laws of dynamics, laws of nature, the universal relations of mathematics, and fundamental rules of physics, chemistry, and biology. All these points point to a universal design, made by an intelligent designer.

How many times have we, who have seen his goodness and have experienced his unconditional love.  We who have had his mercies renewed upon us every single day.  We, who have been forgiven, even when we cannot yet forgive others.  We who look forward to the resurrection in Christ every day.  Yet we are quick to fall into disbelief when our world seems to fall apart. When we lose that job, when our affections are not returned, when our finances have dried up.  We just decided that God is not big enough or doesn’t care.  Maybe he is not watching, or he made a mistake.  That is what Job thought when he lost all his children, and all his livelihood, and suffered a painful affliction from the top of his head to the souls of his feet.   

So, the disciples are not alone.  They have a desire to learn, they are just a little slow on the pickup, like many of us. Therefore, like a good teacher, Jesus found another way to demonstrate that he is God, and they do not need to fear the power of men or nature.  He has all authority.

This doctrine is taught precept upon precept, and then the understanding of it is immediately tested.  Revelation of truth is necessary for belief, and exercising of faith is necessary for building faith.  According to Matthew’s account of this story, the message finally sank in.  They were amazed and said, “Of a truth though art the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33).   

There is something we learn about Jesus here.  He is the Son of God, and He is always with us.  His eye is always upon us.  He is always pondering our ways. He will not quit on us. He told the disciples, “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.”. I am right here.

The book of Isaiah records the words of God in saying, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10).

Have you put your trust in the LORD, Jesus Christ?  Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”. Have faith in the LORD.  The psalmist also cries to the LORD, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee”. (Psalm 56:3)

I consider this scripture from Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea: Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, thought the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

Jesus said, “Let not your heart by troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).  

Some of you have professed Christ, yet you are still walking in fear.  I invite you to call him.  To take his hand, and to let him come into the boat.  Let the knowledge of his presence bring you peace, knowing that he is God and you can trust him.  Choose to walk in faith.

Some of you have hardened your hearts and refused to see when Jesus revealed the truth about himself to you.  You rejected it, or perhaps just turned away, not wanting to face the truth.  It is time to turn around.  Let him rebuke the wind and calm the seas of fear and doubt that live in your heart. Believe what he has revealed to you, that he is God.  All authority is his. There is nothing that he cannot do.  He will sustain you by his righteousness.  Just trust him. It is your choice. Choose to believe.