Mark 6:45-56
Q .1. Why did Jesus ask His disciples to get into the boat? How did they progress?
Why did they think Jesus was a ghost? What was Jesus teaching His disciples? – (Mk.7:45-52)
Jesus had just fed five thousand men, as well as the women and children. He must have been exhausted and would have been longing for the refreshment of communion with His Father (Mk.6:46 c.f. Mk.6:34-44). Consequently, He sent His disciples ahead by boat (Mk.6:45). It did not seem strange to the disciples, since He often went off by Himself (Mk.1:35-37). Sailing into a stiff breeze, they had made little progress. By early morning they were still in the middle of the lake straining at the oars (Mk.6:47-48). Jesus had more to teach His disciples about His true nature, and – 48 … He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass them. 49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified … (Mk.6:48-50). He calmed them and got into the boat with them – and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened (Mk.6:51-52). It must have been an unbelievable experience. The description of their ‘hardened hearts’ was also used by Jesus, when explaining why people divorce (Mk.10:5). We should understand this as a statement of fact, not condemnation. We all have a problem with hard hearts at times.
Q.2. What happened at Gennesaret? How did the people respond to news about Jesus? What did Jesus do in the towns around the Sea of Galilee? How many were healed? – (Mk.7:53-56)
No sooner had they arrived at Gennesaret, than they were besieged by crowds of people from around the country (Mk.6:53-55). At this stage of His ministry, Jesus visited the towns and villages, where – they were laying the sick in the marketplaces and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak … (Mk.6:56). No one who reached out to Him for healing was disappointed. He was fulfilling all the Messianic prophecies (Isa.35:5-6; 61:1-2).