Living Manna

Jesus was walking on water and intending to pass by the disciples. They were so fearful in the storm so Jesus got into the boat with them.

Mark 6:52 Their hearts were hardened and they didn’t gain any insight from the incident with the loaves.

What is this insight? To understand, we’ve to go back to the miracle of the loaves.

Mark 6:30 “The apostles” –

Mark 6:30 The word “apostles” was used instead of disciples. “Apostle” comes from a Greek word meaning “to send” (apostellō). Apostles was used for the disciples after Jesus was resurrected and ascended. Apostles have a task and mission to preach the word. Here Mark used “apostles” as there is an expectation.

Mark 6:31 Here many people were looking for Jesus and His disciples.

Mark 6:34 He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. “He began to teach” –

Though Jesus and the disciples needed to rest, when He saw that the people needed him, He felt compassion and taught them the word.

Ps 23:x God leads us to green pastures.

Mark 6:37 You give them something to eat –

Mark 6:36-37 The disciples wanted Jesus to send the people away so they can go buy food. They are practical. But Jesus tasked them to solve the problem and give the people something to eat.

They were shocked and answered Jesus sarcastically,” Shall we go and spend 200 denarii on bread for them?!”

What about us? When Jesus tells us to settle our problems in life, work, family, ministry, what do we answer Him?

Mark 6:38 Five loaves and two fish –

Mark 6:38 They answered that they have 5 bread and 2 fish only. This is them saying, “We don’t even have enough for ourselves.”

We don’t have the ability to multiply bread and fish but Jesus can! Jesus wanted them to pray!

Mark 6:39 “sit down by groups on the green grass” –

Then Jesus commanded the people to sit down in groups of 50 or 100 on the green grass. This is the image of the shepherd feeding His sheep on the green grass. Jesus then prayed and blessed the food and gave it to all the people.

Mark 6:41 Looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food –

Bless – εὐλογέω (eulogeō) speak good of, praise, give thanks

Jesus shows them what He wanted to see them doing. He was showing that the source of His authority was the heavenly Father.

Mark 6:46 He left for the mountain to pray –

We’ve the power to pray. never forget that! Not just on Sundays but everyday. Even Jesus depended on a life of prayer.

Now, let’s go back to our main passage about Jesus calming the sea. 

Mark 6:48 “straining at the oars” – “Straining” βάσανος (basanos) torture, torment

Back to the boat, the disciples were straining at the oars facing the wind and waves (again)! This is the same problem they faced before. It happened at the 4th watch which is the darkest period of time before the sunrise. If the disciples had learned from their previous experience, they should have gathered to pray first.

That’s why Jesus intended to pass by. When they finally saw Jesus, they think He’s a ghost. Do we also think Jesus is a ghost? So unreal in our lives?

Mark 6:51 He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped

Then Jesus got into the boat with them. He was with them like Immanuel.

Mark 6:52 Mark comments, “for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened”

When we see a miracle, do we only say” wow ” then forget about it afterwards? Faith is remembering Jesus and calling upon Him to help us in times of trouble, we just need to pray.

Conclusion: Faith does not fall into water.

Even though Jesus taught the word and the people were amazed, It did not enter their hardened hearts.

How much do we believe and pray?

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 

Paul said this in prison, he was being beaten up, dying in there. But Paul confessed that even if I’m hated and I’m to die now, Jesus still strengthens my faith.

A lot of times, we put Jesus on hold while we settle our own problems.

Mark didn’t record that Peter asked Jesus to allow him to walk on water too. But it is written in the other gospels. When peter focused on Jesus he walked on the water but when his focus shifts, he fell into the water. Then he screamed out his prayer, “Help!”

How was Jesus able to walk on water?

There are waters above and waters below created on the 2nd day of creation.

Ps 29:3 God is Lord over many waters.

Ps 148:4 This verse is telling the waters to praise God.

These waters represent the waters that has been converted to clouds, which is the waters above.

Rev 17:15 The waters represent the worldly people below.

We need to have faith and build the ark. And the most important thing is that the ark doesn’t leak and sink. So we need to coat it with pitch both inside and outside. Jesus is the sap from the tree which is like the pitch we use to coat the ark.

So we must receive His word and use it as the pitch that we can apply on the ark inside and outside so we don’t sink. Jesus is the water of life, like the water from Ezekiel’s temple. Jesus is above the waters above so He would never sink. Now we’re the apostles, those who are sent out. We must not be tormented by the waves anymore. We’ve to be fishers of men, to pull men out of the sea. May God do miraculous work in your life, to save many others through you.

AMEN!