NOTES for Mar 6:45-53
45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. |
46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. |
47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. |
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. |
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: |
50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. |
51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. |
52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. |
53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. |
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In the boat in the middle of the stormy sea, the apostles found themselves in the situation in which each of us individually, and the whole world together, constantly finds itself. It is the situation in which you search for human means to solve a problem that is beyond human power. And an encounter with God at such moments of life really does cause us fear, just as it caused fear in the apostles when they saw Jesus walking on the water. For what are these microscopic problems of ours to Him? What is our life worth before the face of the Almighty? For centuries humanity has been seeking an answer to this question and has agreed that our life is dust, nothing. This is all we are capable of inventing, and on such a miserable foundation we think that we ourselves can despise one another's value.
The Gospel, however, tells us the one and only hope, the first and the last. The Almighty Himself came to us and became one of us, because He so loved the world. This is the only thing that gives meaning to the existence of our race. When we ask Him tragic questions about what will happen to us, it would have been enough for us, as for Job, simply to receive answers to them. But the Almighty, instead of an answer, comes to us Himself and says: it is I; do not be afraid.
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