THESE verses contain Mark's account of Jesus walking on the water and causing another storm on the sea of Galilee to cease. It contains so much for us to learn, and which contains extraordinary comfort for God's people.

Verses 45 & 46 tell us why the disciples were on the sea during this night. Jesus made them go into the boat and go ahead of him to Bethsaida. It appears that Jesus had a purpose and a plan for them. So we learn that God does give his believing people instruction and guidance in life, and often there is a purpose in what we are led to do, which is for the benefit of our spiritual growth. There is no doubt that through this experience the disciples learnt so much more about Jesus and his care for them.

The other noticeable thing in these verses is the fact that Jesus stayed behind, because he wanted to have a time apart to pray and commune with God his Father. Because Jesus was the Son of God, and co-equal with God the Father, his prays were of a kind that no human being could participate in. The nearest we get is in the prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17. Jesus needed to have time to commune with his Father. He needed time alone with God. His spiritual resources as the God-man needed to renewed. In every way Jesus made himself like to us his children, his people. The true humanity of Jesus stands out for all to see. He was truly human, as well as being truly God. This need of Jesus for renewing his strength through prayer and communion with the Father was becuase he had to live his human life as the Son of man without the help of his divnine nature. As the Son of man he had to be a true substitute for sin as a human being, without using his divine nature, so that he could make atonement for our sin. Only another human being could die make atonement for the sin of human beings.

Verses 47 & 48 tell us that Jesus was able to see the disciples in their distress in the storm. What a wonderful revelation this is for us. We may seem so alone in the world sometimes, just as the disciples probably felt alone in the boat. The truth revealed here is that Jesus is watching over us, and knows all about us, and is caring for us. Because of this nothing can happen to us but by his will and purpose, and that purpose is good. The result of the experience the disciples went through here was all good for them, though difficult at the time.

The rest of verse 48 tell us that at the right time for the purpose of Jesus - the fourth watch, Jesus came to the disciples aid. This teaches us that Jesus planned and knew the exact time when the experience the disciples were going through would be ripe for his gracious intervention, so that the fullest blessing may result out of it.

Then we are told the extraordinary fact that Jesus walked on the water. Remember that the sea was very rough, for this enhances the extraordinary nature of this action. It reveals Jesus as God and creator. He could overrule his laws written into creation, and on this occasion he did so. There is no reason to try and explain away the miracle. Such action, though predictable, is always in the end destructive. If the Gospel record needs correcting and adjusting, then there can be no confidence in its authority or teaching. If one part of the record can be denied, then all can be denied and so we have no sure foundation in God's word. In the end it all depends on us and our wisdom to decide what to accept or reject.

Why Jesus was about to pass by is difficult to understand. We have the same action in the account of the risen Jesus walking with two disciples on route for Emmaus. When they came to their home, Jesus made as if he was going on with his journey. It would seem that by this action Jesus would prompt a response and a seeking of himself.

Verse 49 describes to us the reaction of the disciples when they saw Jesus walking on the water. They could see his figure, without being able to discern his features. They responded to what they saw in a very human fashion. They were afraid, and because they could not believe what they saw, they thought Jesus to be a ghost.

Notice the immediate response of Jesus to their fear (v.50b). He identifies himself, and told them not to be afraid, and then he climbed into the boat to be with them. What wonderful comfort and joy this action of Jesus must have brought to the disciples minds and hearts. This is what Jesus does. When we cry to him, he answers by coming to us, and, as it were, getting into the boat with us. He comes by our side. When we cry to Jesus in our need he does answer and draws near to us. Even when we do not pray, he still comes, and comes to be with us and still our fears.

Verse 51 in a sentence records the wonderful blessing of Jesus entering in the boat with them. Let us notice the miracle. The wind which was causing them so much stress and fear, died down.

When Jesus is with us 'in the boat', the problems of life become manageable. He brings with his presence, his power and blessing. We always become vulnerable when we allow ourselves to become parted from Jesus. The aspiration of the hymn is right - "Oh for a closer walk with God, a calm and heavenly frame."

Verse 52 enlightens us in some way why Jesus caused the disciples to experience all this. They had not really learnt from the miracle of the feeding of the 5000. Jesus wanted to reinforce the lesson by another. Jesus was revealing his Messiahship and divinity to the disciples in these two incidents. They have the same purpose for us today. Jesus is our God and Saviour. The cause why we are so slow to learn is also declared. The reason is the hardness of our hearts. Unbelief is not really caused by the mind but by the heart. It is not the exercise of wisdom in the mind which prevents faith, but sin in the heart. It is the heart that stifles faith, that is the corrupt nature of our inner being.

The closing verses - 53-56, describe the reception which Jesus and his disciples experienced as soon as they landed ashore. Jesus was recognised, and people passed the information around. The result was that people flocked to him in order to receive blessings from him.

We are told that they came with all their sicknesses and problems in order to receive healing. We are told that when they touched Jesus they were healed. Jesus responded in gracious love and gave them their hearts desire. However there is a tragic side to this history. There is no evidence from the account that they came for healing of the soul. They believed in Jesus for what they could get from him, but did not want to believe on him as Lord and Saviour from sin and corruption. They did not want to go with him and follow him as Lord.

This is the tragedy of human nature. We are ready to spend and be spent to gain the needs of our bodies, and find temporal blessings, but we tend to neglect our souls. John's account in John 6 speaks of the sorrow of Jesus that people came to him for their bodies, but did not come to him for their souls. (John 6:27).