Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

August 4, 2024

Sermon Text: Mark 6:45-56

Other Readings: 2 Kings 6:8-17 and 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18

Note: This miracle is covered by other Gospel writers in Matthew 14:22-33 and John 6:16-21.
 

1. “Jesus made them get into the boat” (v. 45). The language there is kind of strong. Why does Mark highlight the urgency of the disciples’ embarking? Confer John 6:11-15.
    

2. We’re told that Jesus went up on a mountainside to pray. Whom would he have prayed to? What do you think he would have prayed for?
   
    
3. “He was about to pass them by” (v. 48). What might be some possible interpretations of this phrase?
    

4. Comment on the fact that the disciples thought that they were seeing “a ghost” (v. 49).
    

5. When Jesus spoke to the disciples, he said two commands (“Take courage! … Don’t be afraid.”). Between those commands he spoke a statement, “It is I.” What phrase would have calmed them down the most? Why?

 

1. Mark seems to be implying what John makes very clear: after feeding the five thousand, the people were getting excited about the possibility of forcing Jesus to stick around and give them whatever they wanted for their physical needs. So, Mark could be implying that Jesus is trying to put some distance between him and the crowds.

2. Jesus was praying to God the Father, who is his father. The Father has always been the father of the Son from eternity, but since Jesus humbled himself and became truly human like us, he also took on a prayer life like ours. As for what Jesus may have been praying for – perhaps he was praying for his disciples to have stronger faith with more understanding. (After all, they had seemingly doubted his ability to provide food earlier in the day, and this text tells us that they did not have complete understanding of the miracle [v. 52].) Perhaps Jesus was praying for the crowds, that they might hear his words and believe in him. Perhaps Jesus was praying for himself, that he might have the gentle authority to handle the growing misconception of the crowds who wanted to make him their personal miracle worker.

3. If you take it as a comment on Jesus’ perspective, then you think that either 1) Jesus intends to leave the disciples to fend for themselves or 2) Jesus intends to give them an opportunity to pray to him. But, if you take it from the disciples’ point of view, then it might simply relate that, from the disciples’ perspective, it appeared as if Jesus was going to walk by them (even thought he may not have had any intention of doing so.) Even though the phrase is kind of puzzling, the result is not. Jesus reveals himself to them, and the disciples are spared and amazed.

4. Answers may vary, but we might note here that even though the disciples truly are believers in Jesus, then have their ups and downs – including a belief that disembodied spirits of the dead could appear. The Greek word is “phantasma” and refers to a belief in both paganism and among the Jews that the spirits of dead people could appear. Scripture does not teach this; though it does teach that demons (fallen angels) would be capable of such things. May God prevent us from similar false beliefs!

5. Jesus intended for the middle phrase – “It is I” – to bring them calm and confidence. Telling somebody to do something doesn’t mean they are capable of that thing. (For instance, telling a newborn baby to run doesn’t mean that she can do it.) But, Jesus gives them a reason not to fear and a reason to have confidence: it’s the fact that he – the Son of God – is right there with them and wants to help.