The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Mark:6:45-56

kjv@Mark:6:45 @ 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.

kjv@Mark:6:46 @ And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

kjv@Mark:6:47 @ And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

kjv@Mark:6:48 @ 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.

kjv@Mark:6:49 @ But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

kjv@Mark:6:50 @ 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.

kjv@Mark:6:51 @ And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

kjv@Mark:6:52 @ For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

kjv@Mark:6:53 @ And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

kjv@Mark:6:54 @ And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

kjv@Mark:6:55 @ And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

kjv@Mark:6:56 @ And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Today's notes:

Context:

Before - 12 baskets full
After - Clean and unclean

Key Concepts:

What is God's righteousness observed doing?:

Moving disciples on straightway (see: previous passage) while Jesus sends people away.
Seeing the men fight the storm and coming out to them. The appearance was going to be made that He was just going to walk on by Him until they called out to Him.
Encouraging them in the midst of the storm. Halting the storm for their safe passage.

What does this tell us about God's righteousness?:

While it is ultimately focused on Jesus it is also attuned to moving us about in and out of situations where we can receive the most benefit from our relationships (individual and corporate) to Jesus.
God see's all things and is always looking. HE is always there in our situations at the ready. HE may appear to be walking right by, but assuredly is prompting us to call and invite HIM into our boat.
Men rarely need encouraging to do what they would rather do. Men would rather toil and row even if it means drowning. Why they hadn't called to Him through the second and third watch is a problem. Instead, He has to come to them and that except for their ultimate desperation could have walked on by without them calling still. Had they learned the hours old lesson of the loaves? Then is it righteous for HIM to have raised the wind to the point where on their own they weren't going to exceed it? safely in Jesus' watchful care so that it did not sink them? Do they know the lesson better now?

How is man reacting?:

Disbelief. I suppose spirits often walk the water where the Son of God cannot? A spirit would come beside them, but Jesus would not?

Notes:

This Bethsaida is believed to be the home of disciples Andrew Peter James and John. Perhaps this was as much rest as they were going to get, perhaps the original intention. To get to that welcome relief they had to endure quite the storm though.

The inference to the hardness of their hearts is most concerning. These are the men we are all counting on to figure this all out first. If it can happen to them right there were Jesus is, it can certainly happen to us in our comfortable little study closets. The importance becomes the real life experience of such lessons. The experience begins with the obedience, we are constrained therefore we go. The lesson arises like the wind and we find ourselves for all of our toil going nowhere and fatigued beyond mortal limits. What has this to do with loaves of bread and fish? Maybe it is time (after our initial obedience and trial) that we take the time and calm our fears to find out.

Notice the touching of His garment. It is they that have brought this to Jesus perhaps by the example of the bleeding woman, not He that has brought it to any of them. He is not discouraging it though, it is how they are processing this at this point. The sick are made whole just the same. Just goes to show though how close they are willing to come to him for their disease sake that the very same people would most likely not endanger their souls to go for their salvation.

We just had realized that the disciples should have called out to Jesus long before they did. Now what about the sick and those bringing the sick out into the streets for the chance to touch Jesus? Does the lesson of the loaves (had they known it) apply to them as well? Knowing enough to imitate the bleeding woman's faith there is cause to suggest that perhaps some of them new of the feeding yesterday at the other side of the lake.

Key Messages:

What does this say about our present condition?

The mind hungers for knowledge, but avoids the experience that really brings about knowledge. We may feel that we know our God's compassion, HIS providence, HIS supernatural ability, HIS taking of whatever is on hand and making it more than sufficient. We may have intellectual labels to these concepts, placeholders for future containment, but we are not to know unless we step forward, cross the nighttime sea, face sudden the storm, call upon what little we do know, be calm and of good cheer and not be hardened. Then we learn. Then we know.
Difficulties and storms are shied away from. The notion is that God is with us when we are safe and resting and plentiful, that He is distant when there is uncertainty and impending danger, even mortal danger. How far could a omnipresent God be from us? Is there anywhere we could go to that He would not be? So the notion must be that He might be there, but He is ignoring us. The divinely just and compassionate God is ignoring us? What an insult to suggest that. He constrains us to do something then ignores our plight. Okay so maybe He just wants us to figure this out on our own, exercise whatever strength is inside us to make us stronger. By ignoring us? It was clear that these men were getting nowhere fast by their strength. Would they be stronger for drowning? So then you see the state of our mind or shall we say the hardness of our hearts in this regard; it hides the omnipresent God from our sight and thoughts in difficulty and challenge (and most of the rest of the time as well).
Note that Jesus calms the men before calming the storm. We would want it the other way. "Lord, if you remove me from this present danger then I will settle down and not let my fears get the better of me" we've often prayed in some similar manner. "Good cheer... what would there be of good cheer... I'm about to drown?" we'd say. Why is it so important to our Lord? Why is it His priority and sequence? Because it involves faith, to hope for that which cannot for the moment be seen, to look squarely into to His eyes and say "it doesn't matter what else is around me as long as you Lord are here". Well then there is something to be of good cheer after all, right? Because He is always here and always capable!

Further Resources:

Comment Board:Mark:6:45-56
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Mark:6:45-56 rwp@Mark:6:45-56 mhcc@Mark:6:45-56
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

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