Page 26 - Living Light 89

Friday June 27 - Walking on the water
...they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him
and were terrified. Mark 6:49-50
Jesus dismissed the crowds, instructing his disciples to leave by boat while he prayed alone. From the hilltop he watched their painful headway against the wind and ‘came to them, walking on the sea’ (Mark 6:46-48.) The Greek anekraxan, describing the disciples’ reaction as he approached, could be translated ‘they freaked out’! There was a popular belief in spirits of the night who brought disaster, and it didn’t occur to them that it was Jesus before them. They were absolutely terrified!
There are 365 scriptures that tell us, ‘Do not fear.’ Jesus called out, “Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid” (v 50) and climbed aboard. The wind stopped and they were ‘utterly astounded’ but still did not recognise him, even though only hours earlier they’d been in the middle of a miracle and had seen other wonders on previous days. Their ‘hard hearts’ (v 52) held them back from understanding about the loaves – a symbol of Jesus being ‘the Bread of Life’ (John 6:35). The only real antidote to fear is faith in our powerful loving God. The disciples lived alongside Jesus but failed to realise who he was.
How are you progressing on your faith journey? Perhaps this account is prompting you to recommit yourself to believing in and surrendering your life to Jesus, trusting him in every circumstance. May the Holy Spirit show us afresh how wonderful he is!
Lord Jesus, thank you for watching over me. Strengthen my faith and love (Mark 9:24) and lead me along your paths of righteousness. Amen.
Saturday June 28 - Healing the multitudes
They ran throughout that whole region and carried those who were ill on
mats to wherever they heard he was. Mark 6:55
We have reached the end of our chapter. Finally, the boat reaches shore but there is no let-up for Jesus. The crowds pursue him, desperate for his healing power. There were few remedies for blind, deaf, paralysed, leprous and diseased people then, and Jesus’ reputation for doing miraculous things had swept through the region like a hurricane. Imagine the people grabbing the sick from their beds, flocking to Jesus, and ‘begging him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak’; Mark tells us that ‘all who touched it were healed’ (v 56).
This week began with the question “Who is he?” – this humble man whose love sought out everyone, coming not to be served but to serve; even to wash his disciples’ feet. Hebrews 1:2-3 majestically declares Jesus’ true identity: ‘the heir to all things, through whom the world was created... the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature’ who ‘upholds the universe by the word of his power.’ The Son of God, the King of kings, came to redeem us, emptying himself, taking the form of a servant, and obeying his Father even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:6-8).
What a wonderful Saviour he is! Living, dying, resurrected, ascended – for us who deserve nothing, but have been granted his loving forgiveness and joyous eternal life!
Lord Jesus, please help me to understand more of what it meant for you to come to rescue us. May I grow in my love for you. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY