AUG 2

Mark 6:45-53
Memorise Mark 6:52
“For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.”

After Jesus had fed the 5000 men (beside women and children), He constrained His disciples to get into a ship and sail to the other side. While their ship was being tossed about by the winds and the waves in the middle of the sea, He went to them walking upon the sea. When the disciples saw Him, they were troubled, supposing that they had seen a spirit. Jesus immediately spoke to them and the moment they received Him into the ship, the wind ceased. “They were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.” But why were the disciples so exceedingly amazed? Did they not realise the power of Christ?

Earlier that same day, the disciples had just witnessed the miracle of the loaves. If they had fully understood what the miracle proved about the power of Christ, they would have reacted differently in this trial. What Christ had done was a miracle as: (1) it was an extraordinary event, one that goes against the natural physical laws, (2) it was an event which caused the observer to consider a super-human personal cause, that Jesus is God Himself; and (3) it was an event which constituted evidence (a “sign”) of implications much wider than the event itself, for those who witnessed it would realise the power of Christ and would be prompted to contemplate, “Who is Christ?”

However, the Bible tells us that in this instance, the disciples’ “hearts were hardened.” This does not mean that they were unbelievers, but that they were not quick to learn of the power of Christ. Their minds were dull to perceive the true implications of what had previously occurred. They should have realised that Christ had the power not only to feed 5000, but also to walk on water and even calm any storm. The disciples had already witnessed many miracles of Christ, including a similar incident in Mark 4:35-41 where Jesus calmed a great storm, but yet in this incident, they were slow to realise and remember the power of Christ.

How about us? As Christians, is our response to difficult situations worse than that of the disciples? We now have a record of all that Christ has done and we have the opportunity to consider and know that truly Jesus is the Son of God. But have we taken the time to meditate upon the power of Christ, who He is and all that He has done for us? In times of trials and difficulties, do we have faith to believe that God always has the power to save us and guide us?

Thought: Have I realised the power of Christ to save me from my sins?
Prayer: O Lord, help me realise Thy power and trust Thee in all things.