Reflection for March 2 – Kristin Poe Moody

Today’s passage from the Bible: Mark 6:45-56

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

When evening came, the boat was out on the lake, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the lake. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Reflection – Kristin Poe Moody

In this scripture passage, several profound themes and lessons about Jesus and His ministry emerge, which resonate deeply with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as central to our faith journey. Reflecting on this passage, we can identify and explore these themes:

1. Jesus as a Source of Peace and Calm in the Midst of Storms: The disciples, struggling against an adverse wind, represent all of us as we face the various challenges and storms of life. Jesus walking on water towards them, undeterred by the storm, symbolizes His divine authority over all creation, including the chaotic and seemingly insurmountable problems we face. His presence brings peace and calm, as evidenced when the wind ceased upon His entry into the boat. This teaches us to seek Jesus in our times of trouble, for with Him, we can find peace amidst our storms.
2. Fear, Faith, and Recognition of Jesus: The disciples’ initial reaction to Jesus walking on the lake was fear, thinking He was a ghost. This mirrors our own fears when facing the unknown or when Jesus comes to us in ways we do not expect. Jesus’s response, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid,” is a powerful reminder of His constant presence and His call for us to recognize Him even in the most unexpected circumstances. It encourages us to move from fear to faith, trusting in His presence and His guidance.
3. The Human Heart and Understanding: The passage notes that the disciples were “utterly astounded” because they did not understand about the loaves and their hearts were hardened. This points to a spiritual blindness and an inability to see and understand the fullness of Jesus’s identity and mission, despite the miracles they had witnessed. It serves as a call for openness to divine revelation and a warning against hard-heartedness that can prevent us from fully experiencing and responding to God’s presence and action in our lives.
4. Jesus’s Healing Ministry and the Power of Faith: The narrative concludes with the people recognizing Jesus and bringing the sick to Him, demonstrating the widespread acknowledgment of His healing power. The faith of the people, believing that even touching the fringe of His cloak could heal them, underscores the theme of faith’s power to connect us with Jesus’s healing grace. This not only highlights Jesus’s compassion and willingness to heal but also invites us to approach Him with faith, believing in His power to bring healing and wholeness into our lives.
5. Prayer and Solitude: Jesus’s retreat to the mountain to pray, before performing the miracle, emphasizes the importance of prayer and solitude in His ministry. It serves as an example for us to seek moments of solitude to connect with God, especially before making decisions or facing significant challenges. Prayer strengthens our relationship with God and equips us to navigate the difficulties of life with divine guidance and support.

In reflecting upon this passage, we are invited to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ, recognizing His authority over creation, His presence in the midst of our trials, and His power to heal and transform lives. We are called to move from fear to faith, to seek understanding through an open heart, and to embrace the importance of prayer and solitude in our spiritual journey.