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Mark 6:45-56

July 4, 2021

45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus.55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Read Mark 6:45-46

  1. What actions does Jesus take to make sure His time with the Father was uninterrupted? How do you imagine this was received by the disciples? Is it difficult for you to say “No” to people in order to say “Yes” to God?

  2. On other occasions, Jesus prays with His disciples. Why do you think it was also important for Him to spend time in prayer on His own? What are the implications for our own prayer habits?

Read Mark 2: 47-52

  1. What lessons do you draw for yourself from this miracle story?

  2. Mark says the disciples “did not understand about the loaves.” What is he talking about? What is it that the disciples failed to understand? (Hint: you may have to look at some previous passages)

  3. Compare the demeanor of the disciples with the demeanor of Jesus. What can/should we take away from this comparison?

  4. Why are trust and belief always easier in hindsight than in the moment?

Read Mark 2: 53-56

  1. Here we see that everyone was being healed. Why do you suppose we don’t see that happen more often?

  2. This narrative is told from the perspective of the people rather than Jesus. Why is this significant? What can we learn from the response of the people?