Mark 6:45-56 Jesus Walks on Water – Do You See Who He Is

Jesus Walks on Water – Do You See Who He Is?

Mark 6:45–56

Introduction: Missing What’s Right in Front of You

Have you ever tried to teach someone a simple task, but no matter how many times you show them, they just don’t get it? Maybe it’s tying their shoes, solving a math problem, or learning a new game. You walk them through each step, demonstrate it, even do it for them—but they still don’t understand.

This is exactly how Jesus must have felt with His disciples. They had seen Him perform miracles, heard His teachings, and even experienced His power firsthand, yet they still didn’t fully understand who He was. In Mark 6:45–56, Jesus once again reveals His power to them, but they still struggle to grasp the truth.

Background & Context: Jesus’ Power on Display

Right before this moment, Jesus had fed over 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish. That should have been proof enough that He was more than just a teacher. But now, another miracle is about to unfold.

Jesus sent His disciples ahead in a boat while He went up the mountain to pray (Mark 6:45–46). This echoes earlier Scripture, where God's power is revealed over nature. Psalm 107 describes sailors in a storm who cried out to the Lord and He stilled the waves. Job says that God “alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea.”

Jesus Walks on Water: A Miracle Unlike Any Other

While the disciples struggled against the wind, Jesus walked on the sea toward them. At first, they were terrified, thinking He was a ghost.

“But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’” (Mark 6:50)

The phrase “It is I” is the same wording used in Greek for God’s self-revelation to Moses: “I AM.” Jesus wasn’t just calming their fears—He was declaring that He is God.

Yet even after this, the disciples were still confused. “They were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened” (Mark 6:51–52). Like Elisha’s servant needing his eyes opened (2 Kings 6:17), or Paul needing scales to fall from his eyes (Acts 9:18), the disciples needed spiritual eyes to fully see.

Jesus Calms the Storm: A Reminder of God’s Power

As soon as Jesus entered the boat, the wind ceased. This is another display of His divine power. Psalm 107 says that God made the storm be still and calmed the waves. Jesus did what only God can do.

Crowds Recognize Jesus – But Do They Know Him?

After crossing over to Gennesaret, people recognized Jesus and brought the sick to Him. “Wherever he came… they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well” (Mark 6:56).

They recognized His healing power, but many still didn’t understand who He truly was. He was not just a miracle-worker—He was God in the flesh.

Conclusion: Seeing Jesus for Who He Is

This passage calls us to reflect: Do we see Jesus clearly? The disciples struggled to understand, and the crowds focused more on what Jesus could do for them than who He actually was.

Jesus is Lord. His power over nature and sickness proves that He is more than a teacher—He is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament promises, the visible image of the invisible God. The one who walked on the sea is the same God who parted the waters, stilled the storms, and now calls us to believe.

Do we recognize Him not only with our eyes but with our hearts? Or are we still waiting for something more before we surrender in faith?

Scripture References

  1. Psalm 107:28–29 – God calms the storm when His people cry out to Him.
  2. Job 9:8 – God alone tramples the waves of the sea.
  3. Exodus 3:14 – God reveals His name to Moses as "I AM."
  4. Isaiah 35:4–6 – The Messiah will heal the blind, deaf, and lame.
  5. Psalm 89:9 – God rules the raging sea and stills its waves.
  6. Mark 8:28 – People think Jesus is Elijah, John the Baptist, or another prophet.
  7. John 1:1, 14 – Jesus is the Word who is God and became flesh.
  8. 2 Kings 6:17 – Elisha prays for his servant’s eyes to be opened.
  9. Acts 9:18 – Scales fall from Paul’s eyes after his encounter with Christ.
  10. John 3:3 – One must be born again to see the kingdom of God.

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