Thursday - The Gospel According To Mark
Welcome to Daily Prayer. This week we see Jesus revealing himself but only the gentiles and the blind and sick are able to see. Today is an incredible story. We see Jesus coming down from the Mountain after being with the Father and seeing the disciples in trouble. He walks on the water, intending to “pass by” like the LORD with Moses in Exodus, and he calms the storm showing himself to be the divine Son.
As we begin our time together, let’s quiet our hearts and minds before the LORD.
Lord, you are the Great I AM who treads upon the waters.
I surrender my fears to you. You are the provider and the rescuer.
I give everyone and everything to you.
Even though we walk through the darkest valleys, we will not fear because you are with us.
You are the Comforter and the Good Shepherd.
O Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise.
A Scripture Reading from Mark 6:45-56
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.
48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was.
56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
After feeding the 5,000, Jesus sends his disciples ahead by boat while he dismisses the crowd and prays on the mountain (Mark 6:45–52). That evening Jesus sees them struggling against the wind in the middle of the sea. In the early morning hours, he approaches them walking on the water.
When they see him on the water, they mistake him for a ghost and cry out in terror. The core issue is the disciples’ fail to recognize God’s presence. It reflects their earlier inability to grasp God’s abundance when Jesus fed the 5,000. Rather than recognizing the divine glory of Jesus, they actually think its a ghost or some kind of demonic attack.
The surprising detail that Jesus intended to “pass by them” invites us to pay attention. We are given a clue when he comes in response to their distress. It likely represents his intention to display his glory and go before them into any danger they might face. Think about the Lord displaying his glory by “passing by” Moses on the mountain. Just as Jesus had declared his compassion for the crowd, on the mountain with Moses the Lord proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, compassionate and gracious” (Ex. 34). When Jesus steps into the boat he immediately reassures them with “I am he; do not be afraid,” and when he steps into the boat, the wind ceases.
Mark explains that they did not understand about the loaves and their hearts were hardened which is an expression indicating those unable or unwilling to perceive truth. The disciples who’ve just received the bread and dispersed it for the Lord, fail to recognize that the blessing over the loaves also points to Jesus. This passage illustrates how followers can bring God’s satisfying provision to others while struggling to receive it personally.
A Prayer of Adoration
Lord Jesus, you are the great I AM who walks upon the waters. You intended to show the disciples your glory by passing by in front of them. You are “the Lord, the Lord, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.” We worship you as Lord over nature, over fear, and over every need. You are the Bread from Heaven and the One who treads upon the waters. You are worthy of all of our trust and we worship you.
A Prayer of Confession
Lord, forgive us when we fail to recognize you. I confess that there are times I have brought your Words of comfort and provision to others and have not received them for myself.
During the night, we have been afraid. Forgive us for having hard hearts when you intend to show us your glory. Soften our hearts to see you clearly.
A Prayer of Trust
We trust that you are the Great I AM. You are more than a teacher. You are the strong Son of God. You have authority over every realm of life and you are the Blessed and Broken One who provides for us. You tell us, “Take heart” and we hear and welcome your Word today.
A Prayer of Intercession and Petition
Lord, we pray that you would come to every storm-tossed believer today. Those in all kinds of difficult situations. Those in crisis, with illness, those afflicted by fear. Lord, speak peace into these chaotic situations. Reveal yourself as the Great I AM.
Heal all who reach out to you. Come to those who have the wind against them Lord.
Strengthen your church to trust you in the night.
A Moment of Reflection
Lord, what storm am I facing where you are inviting me to hear you say, “Take heart; it is I”?
As we listen to the passage again, let’s listen for a word or phrase that the Holy Spirit may want to say to us today:
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.
48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was.
56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
And now Our Weekly Passage to Memorize together:
Mark 6:34
“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.”
Let’s pray the Lord’s Prayer together as we close:
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread and
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever
amen