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Working With Jesus…But Not Understanding Him - Part 2 of 2 (Mark 6:7-56)

They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:51-52 (NIV)

Context:

We will observe and interpret today’s reading (Mark 6:45-56) as the conclusion of the reading from Day 9 (Mark 6:7-44).

We will also read several Old Testament texts as the biblical context for interpreting the miracle of Jesus walking on water. While Job 9:1-12 is fully cited below, you will also read Exodus 33:18-23 and 1 Kings 19:9-13 after completing the reading from Mark.

Job 9:1-12 (NIV)
Then Job replied:
“Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?
Though they wished to dispute with him, they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger.
He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble.
He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars.
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.
He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.
When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.
If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’

Observation:

Recall the reading from Day 9, which introduced this section with:

• The sending out of the Twelve and their return, which “interrupted” by the report of John the Baptist’s death (Mark 6:7-32); and
• The feeding of the 5,000 which “interrupted” the time of rest Jesus had intended to take with his disciples (Mark 6:33-44)

Next, Mark records the miracle of Jesus walking on water, which we will read today (Mark 6:45-52):

• Notice that before Jesus begins to speak with his disciples, Mark reports that he “was about to pass by them” (Mark 6:48).
• What emotions do the disciples have in this story?
• Pay attention to the way Mark connects this story to the miraculous feeding (from yesterday) when he says “They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves” (Mark 6:51-52).

Interpretation:

On Day 9, the biblical context of Ezekiel 34 helped us interpret the feeding of the 5,000 as a revelation of Jesus’ divine identity.

His divinity is further confirmed in today’s reading when Jesus walks on water. The biblical contexts suggest that Jesus wasn’t about to “pass by” the disciples because he didn’t see them. Rather, this language points readers to Old Testament stories of God’s self-revelation (see Job 9:1-12, Exodus 33:18-23; 1 Kings 19:9-13). The language of “pass by” suggests the difficulty humans have in trying to perceive God, who is transcendent and beyond human understanding.

In light of this, Mark’s statement that the disciples “were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves” emphasizes their inability to really understand the significance of Jesus’ deeds (Mark 6:51-52). They didn’t yet comprehend that he was “God among them.” That was too far beyond their cultural expectations of who the Jewish Messiah would be.

Application:

Jesus extended grace and patience to his disciples when they struggled to understand him. He extends the same to us when we find him difficult to fathom.

Reflect on moments in your own spiritual journey when:

• You worked alongside Jesus but didn't fully understand his purposes
• Your cultural expectations or personal limitations prevented you from recognizing God's work
• You experienced confusion or amazement at unexpected ways God was moving in your life