Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 6:49-51 (New Living Translation)

49 but when they saw him (Jesus) walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. 50 They were all terrified when they saw him.

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” 51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped.

There was a storm on the water. The followers of Jesus knew they were powerless in such a storm. They looked at the raging waters and saw something walking on the stormy waters. It had to be a ghost or something supernatural. Then they recognized that it was Jesus walking on water in a storm.

Their reaction? Terror! Fear!

This is a Sunday school story. We heard it as kids. Those silly disciples. What was wrong with them? Sorry. This is much more than a Sunday School story for little kids.

Remember that Twilight Zone episode where a man saw a gremlin walking around on the wing on an airliner? Insane fear. This is what the men in the boat felt.

What did Jesus do to calm them? Jesus came to them and joined them in the boat. Notice, this is something we can do for the terrified today. Come near them. Join them in their situation. Love them deeply from close distance.

Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus did miracles (like walk on water in a storm). Jesus also did simple things that any of us can do at any time. Join a terrified person in their situation and love them deeply from close distance.