December 10, 2023, Mark 6:45-56, "Going From Fear to Fatih" (Live, No Music)

Mark 6:52, the disciples did not yet completely trust in Jesus (and therefore they did not understand the miracle of the bread and fish in the prior verses), until...
Matthew 14:27, Jesus walked on the water (when the disciples were on the boat by themselves, after being told to depart to the other side, while Jesus went to send the multitude away), but there is so much more to see in these stories...
Matthew 14:28-31, Jesus saved Peter from his doubt, when he asked Jesus to let him walk on the water also

[Jesus intercedes for His people.]
Mark 6:45, Jesus IMMEDIATELY told the disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side, while He went to send the multitude away.

John 6:14-15, the multitude of people had been looking for a mighty leader to lead them out of captivity (esp. from the Roman empire). Jesus came down into the world to do the will of the Father, and not to merely feed people freely with miracles of food and take away political powers at the majority mob's request (those who merely want a leader to fulfill their desires will be open and vulnerable to following after anti-Christs). Jesus did not want His disciples to be influenced by this social clamor, and therefore in Mark 6:45, He told them to IMMEDIATELY get into the boat and depart to the other side. While the disciples were on the boat, Jesus departed alone into a mountain to pray after the multitude was dispersed. Recall that Jesus wanted to heal people spiritually and physically, and bring them to the place where they could accept Him as their personal Lord and savior.

Psalm 81:11-14, God gave the hardened hearts over to their own counsel, "wisdom", and desires/lusts. God would have taken care of their problems, if they had hearkened onto His voice.

Mark 6:46, Jesus probably prayed to His Father to strengthen the faith of the disciples, give them encouragement, and a full understanding of who He was.

Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:15-16, Jesus understands everything people go through in life, and He is accessible today and able to give mercy and grace, if only people will come to Him (some people will choose to live on in the darkness and shame, and not come).

John 17:20, Jesus prayed for ALL believers from eternity past through eternity future.
John 17:21, unity in God
John 17:22-23, God's protection
John 17:24, God's promise (so that the believers will be with Him in heaven)
John 17:25-26, Jesus' intercession, to the Father, for Jesus is the only way to the Father (the Father will not recognize a person as His own child unless the Son declares it to the Father)

[Jesus protects His followers.]
Mark 6:47:48, Jesus is everywhere, all at once: He could see the disciples rowing (and knew their exact location even without a line of sight), knew their thoughts (and therefore perceived their fear and doubt also), was able to come down from the mountain, and walk on the sea to come up beside the boat as if to walk alongside them).

Mark 6:49, the disciples had never seen anyone walking on water and began to panic. Like the situation involving a storm on the sea, the disciples probably felt like they were genuinely alone without God and His protection, due to their doubt (in truth Jesus was everywhere).

Matthew 14:28-31, Matthew's account implied Peter was doubtful and uncertain about whether it was a ghost or the Lord walking on water, and therefore he asked if he could walk on water, to test and see if the person walking on the water was really Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4, grieving with a hope of knowing, not like the unsaved people who do not know about the glorious future, and not like the unsaved people who are currently unaware of Jesus Christ. Those who are unaware and do not know will always come to a point of endless hopelessness, whether their calamity comes eventually or immediately.

Mark 6:50, Jesus told the disciples to not fear, but be of good cheer, for He was still present. He turned their fear into faith.

Mark 6:51, there was immediate calmness the moment Jesus set his foot onto the boat. In Matthew's account, it is also mentioned that the boat "teleported" immediately to dry land.

Psalm 5:11, a defense for those who trust in Him
Psalm 9, stronghold and refuge
Psalm 18, solid rock/foundation, stronghold, and salvation

[Jesus exhibits common grace.]
Mark 6:53-56, all those who came to Christ became healed (Gennesaret was yet another place full of many different kinds of people, showing again the availability of Christ and His grace).
Mark 6:52, faith in bread and fish (mini example: those who pray for material consumption, welfare, and mere social/political matters) versus faith in Jesus Christ (mini example: those who pray for His will, salvation, and relationship)

Psalm 81:11-14, God would have taken care of their problems anyways (whether or not they specifically asked for it), if they had only hearkened onto His voice (obeyed Him).