Jesus: The One Who Walks on Water and Heals the Hurting

This miraculous event was not just about Jesus rescuing the disciples from their problem. It was a manifestation of His deity. Now He adds His words. Seeking to calm the terror of the Twelve, Jesus gently speaks to them saying, “Have courage!” They are in the place of obedience, and Jesus is there.

Next He says, “It is I” (Gk ego eimi). We will return to this in a moment.

146Third, He says, “Don’t be afraid,” a command telling them to stop an action in progress: “Stop fearing!”

“Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased” (cf. 4:39). Their response? “They were completely astounded.”

But now let us consider the statement, “It is I.” In the Greek it is simply “I am.” “Have courage!” Jesus says, “I am.” These are the words God spoke to Moses at the burning bush (Exod 3:14)! Our Savior declares Himself to be the great “I AM” (John 8:58) who led the Hebrews out of Egypt and safely through the waters of the Red Sea. Jesus not only walks where only God can walk, He also bears God’s name! The “I AM” has passed by, showing and declaring His deity. Deity is in the boat! The disciples are overwhelmed, but they still don’t get it, and they won’t until the resurrection.

Once again we see the disciples being exposed for their lack of trust in Jesus. The miracle “about the loaves,” the feeding of the five thousand, did not make a lasting impression on them. They remain in ignorance, and their hearts are becoming callous. Believe it or not, I find encouragement here. I see myself in them. There is hope!

Jesus could feed 20, 000 people. He had previously calmed the sea (4:35-41). Could He not protect them in this situation too? We say, “Yes God, I know You can, and that You have done , but my situation is different. I know You can do the impossible, but my situation is beyond impossible.” Not so with the God of Luke 1:37.

They receive no rebuke from their Master, the compassionate Shepherd (Mark 6:34). He knows they still have much to learn and endure. He will not give up on them. Praise God, He did not give up on us in our ignorance and hard-heartedness either!

Jesus is the One in whom we should have faith. He has proved Himself over and over.

Mark 6:53-56

Jesus has delivered the disciples from the storm on the sea. He now has more work to do.

No doubt this is a general summary of events that transpired over a period of time, as the word “wherever” would indicate. Once more the147 compassionate shepherd will care for His sheep without hesitation or discrimination. They hurt, and He heals. What a wonderful Savior He is!

The boat lands in the area of Gennesaret (not Bethsaida). The strong winds had sovereignly sent them to a different location. More hurting people are in need of a helping hand, a divine touch. The people recognize Him, and they run throughout “the whole region” to bring the sick to Him.

Gregg Anderson, who works in the “Marketplace” focusing on those who serve in government, describes what was happening:

Jesus most certainly can be sought anywhere, anytime, and by anyone in need. There is not one whom He will turn away.

Wherever He went, they brought the sick to Him, and He healed them. Minimally they believed He could heal, or they would not have come.

Men and women on mission for others brought people to the public square that they might meet and be healed by Jesus. Once there they “begged” continually (imperfect tense) to “touch just the tassel of His robe”—the tassels the law required as a reminder of the Lord’s commands (Num 15:37-41; Deut 22:12).

148And they were not disappointed: “And everyone who touched it was made well” (cf. Mark 5:27-29). There was nothing magical about the tassels. It was all about having faith in the One inside that garment: deity in a firstcentury Hebrew robe.

J. I. Packer says, “The true God is great and terrible, just because He is always with me and His eye is always upon me. Living becomes an awesome business when you realize that you spend every moment of your life in the sight and company of an omniscient, omnipotent Creator” (Packer, Knowing God, 86).

Jesus knows you better than you know yourself. He loves you more than you love yourself (which is a great deal). He is more compassionate than you could ever hope. He is more powerful than you could ever imagine. And He knows your needs more perfectly than you or I could ever comprehend. This “Bread of Life” allowed His body to be broken that your soul might receive the spiritual nourishment it needed. He walked the stormy waters through the dark night that led to the cross, so that He might rescue us and that we might never again be terrified or afraid. Through the wonderful touch of His bloody, redemptive hands, we can forever be healed of sin’s diseases and made well forever. He walked across the stormy waters of judgment in our place, and He took on our sicknesses in His own body. “Take heart,” He says. Understand, “I AM!”