Read Mark 6:45 - 52
He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. [Mark 6:48 NIV]
[Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash.]
This short verse is a massive comfort to me as I am writing this blog. In very simple terms, it is a reminder that Jesus sees our situation even though we are not aware of his presence with us.
Mark provides the detail in his account and we have to try to visualise the scene. There has just been a very dramatic miracle - the feeding of five thousand men from five loaves and two fish. Jesus instructed his disciples to leave by boat to cross over to a place called Bethsaida. He promised that he would join them there but he did not come with them. Instead, he climbed a mountain to find some solitude to have a time of prayer with His Father in heaven. This was a vital element in his daily routine and we need to ensure that we build in prayer times to our schedule each day. From the vantage point of the mountain, he could see the boat with the disciples in it and he could see that they were having difficulties. They were rowing into a strong wind and they were making no progress. The Sea of Galilee is 212 metres below sea level and is located between high mountains - this geographical feature produces strong winds. The disciples were totally oblivious to the fact that Jesus was watching them on the boat because their attention was on the oars and the wind. Mark tells us the time of the incident - it was the fourth watch of the night (which means that it was between 3.00 a.m. and 6 a.m.). Have you ever found it difficult to sleep and have been wide awake at 3.00 a.m. It is an eerie time of night.
Notice that Mark tells us that Jesus came to them walking on the sea. It is the almost casual way Mark refers to this amazing miracle. Mark adds that 'He meant to pass by them.' Jesus was providing them with visible proof that He was the Son of God. In chapter 4, Mark tells us about a question which the disciples ask Jesus, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Here Jesus is providing a dramatic answer to their earlier question. He is completely in control over the wind and the sea. He is able to walk on water despite the ferocious winds which were blowing.
There are two passages from the Old Testament which help us to grasp the significance of this statement. The English Standard Version refers to the use of the same Greek word parerchomai in Mark 6:48 and the Septuagint version of Exodus 33:19, 22
Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. [Exodus 33:18-19 NIV]
22When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. [Exodus 33:22]
So this is a word used for the divine revelation to Moses. This is undoubtedly a clear claim of the deity of Jesus Christ. He is God.
Read also Job chapter 9:8-11.
He alone stretches out the heavens
and treads on the waves of the sea. [Job 9:8 NIV]
Notice that the book of Job makes it clear that 'treading on the waves of the sea' is something which only God can do as He is the creator of the universe.
In the same chapter in Job we have another reference to passing by
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him. [Job 8:10-11 NIV]
This revelation of Christ's deity had a profound effect on His disciples. They were terrified. When the wind ceased, they were completely astounded. Peter was present on that occasion and we can pick up his excitement as he recounts this dramatic incident to the younger man, John Mark. We need constantly to be reminded of the deity of Jesus - He is God manifest in human flesh. He is in control of all the natural forces of the universe. He is also all powerful - the powers of the rulers of the earth are nothing compared to His power. (See Psalm 2) We need to be reminded of this in the present international situation.
Less than your above two verses but also linked are Gen 1:2 and 7:18