Mark 6:30-56

Back in chapter 4, Jesus taught with simple images (seeds and light), then performed a cosmic miracle (calmed a storm at sea). Something like that happens in chapter 6, too.

Jesus feeds people with basic, simple food — bread and fish. Then he calms a storm — again while in a boat on the sea.

But there’s an added dimension in both these chapter 6 stories.

Yes, Jesus fed people with basic food. But the number of people he fed was outrageous: thousands.

Yes, Jesus calmed a storm. But he did it after doing something equally outrageous: walking on water.

He did the same kind of things as in chapter 4, but this time they were even more amazing and more miraculous.

That’s a good picture of our relationship with Jesus. As we learn more about him, we’ll continue to see and be aware of more wonderful and amazing things. As we follow him more closely, he’ll do more amazing and wonderful things in our lives — mostly in how he transforms our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

The disciples were “totally amazed” by Jesus (6:51). But “their hearts were too hard” to see and understand who he was and what he was doing (6:52). We must be careful or we’ll be like the disciples — seemingly “all in” but actually wavering.

READ & REFLECT

Mark 6:1-29

verses 30-44 (Jesus feeds thousands)

Imagine being one of the people in the crowd. How would you have responded to what happened? Why?
Imagine being one of the disciples. How would you have responded to Jesus’ words (verses 37-38), his actions (verses 39-41a), and his instructions to you (verse 41b)? Why?

Verses 45-52 (Jesus walks on water and calms a storm)

Think of a circumstance in life where you especially need to hear Jesus say: “Don’t be afraid. Take courage! I am here!” Put your experiences and feelings and Jesus’ response into a prayer. Write it in your journal. Pray it regularly.

General Reflection:

What do you learn about Jesus from this passage?
What do you learn about following Jesus from this passage?

Extra Info

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The imagery of God as a shepherd and people as sheep was well known in Jesus’ time. It goes all the way back to Genesis 48:15 when Jacob said that God had been his shepherd all his life. Psalm 23 begins: “The LORD is my shepherd ... ”
The Sea of Galilee — often just called “the lake” in the gospels — hasn’t changed much since Jesus’ time. It is 13 miles long and 8 miles wide, below sea level, and surrounded by hills. Fierce storms are common because of the geography.
John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin. Jesus probably wanted to be alone to pray (verse 46) after hearing about John’s death.

Old Testament References

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2103 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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