And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Mark 6:51-52 (ESV)
Jesus had fed 5000 men (and their families) with five biscuits and two small fish, a boy’s lunch (John 6:9), and had twelve baskets of leftovers. Jesus then sent his disciples ahead in the boat to the other side of the lake while he stayed behind to pray. Late in the night, amid a storm, Jesus went out to his disciples, walking on the water. When they saw Him, they were frightened. But Jesus assured them, climbed into the boat, and the storm quit.
Mark tells us that they were utterly astounded. And I can certainly understand that. If I saw someone come walking on the water out of a storm, I would be pretty impressed, and maybe even a bit frightened.
Learning a Lesson
But the issue here was more than simple amazement. Mark goes on to tell us that they did not understand about the loaves because their hearts were hardened. Mark is telling us that they should have learned something from the feeding of the 5000 that would have changed their reaction to His walking on the water.
What would that lesson have been? Feeding a multitude with a small boy’s lunch demonstrated power over the creation. Jesus essentially made something out of nothing. If He could do that, should it be amazing that He could walk on the water, or calm a storm?
Despite all that the disciples had seen Jesus do, they still did not understand who He was. Their hearts were hardened. Not that they refused to believe. After all, they had left everything behind to follow Jesus. But up to this point, they had failed to recognize his unique nature as the Son of God, the creator.
I can relate to the disciples in this passage. In my head, I know that He can do anything. Yet how often do I doubt? And how often am I surprised when He does something unexpected? How much is my understanding darkened because of the hardness of my heart?
Lord, I believe. Please help me in my unbelief (Mark 9:24).
