Mark 6:45–52 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

In Mark’s Gospel, this account takes place immediately after the Feeding of the 5000. Jesus sent the disciples ahead so He could have some private time for prayer. When evening came, the boat was near the middle of the lake. John’s Gospel tells us they were about three miles away from the shore where Jesus was. He could see them fighting against the wind. It was after 3:00 a.m. that He went out to them, walking on the water.

While this event is recorded in Matthew and John as well, Mark is the only one who includes these words:  “He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost.”

 When I read those words, a comical picture comes to mind: Jesus taking a leisurely stroll, maybe even whistling as He made His way across the lake. All of a sudden He sees the boat and says, “Oh, I didn’t see you guys there!” But I do not for a second think that Jesus was ignoring the twelve. In fact, He was wanting His disciples to see Him and call out to Him for help. Some theologians compare this to the way the Lord revealed part of His glory to Moses in Exodus.

Exodus 33:22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

They say Jesus wanted the disciples to see part of His glory and cry out to Him for help in their time of need. Unfortunately, instead of recognizing Jesus in His glory, they thought He was a ghost! We cannot fault them too much. After all, they had never seen anyone walk on water before, and in their minds a mortal could not do that, so it had to be some kind of spirit. They cried out in fear and terror. That is when Jesus said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

 The Lord says the same thing to all of us. “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  We often fail to recognize Him and His presence with us, ready to calm whatever situation in which we find ourselves, wanting us to trust Him and be strengthened.

And we know more than the disciples did at this point. We know that Jesus was crucified for us, that His death paid the price our sins deserved, and that He conquered death for us. Those in the boat had not yet seen these things, but we have heard and seen. His glory has been made known to us.

Lord Jesus, help us to rejoice in the glory You have revealed to us, so that we trust You to be with us in calm seas and in troubled waters. Strengthen us to believe that You are always with us. Amen.