Why Are You So Surprised?

Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
Mark 6:51,52

Daily Devotion – August 8, 2024

Devotion based on Mark 6:51,52

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The disciples had just been part of a miracle. Including women and children, Jesus had fed an estimated total of ten to fifteen thousand people with five small barley loaves and two small fish. He had given the loaves and fish to the disciples, and they had distributed that food to all the people and kept sharing until everyone had eaten their fill. And then his disciples even gathered up twelve baskets full of leftovers.

Somehow, that was not enough. It was not enough to convince the disciples that Jesus truly was the Son of God. It did not convince them that Jesus had supernatural power over all creation. So when Jesus walked on the water to them and then calmed the winds they had been fighting, they were amazed.

The Gospel writer Mark lets us know that if they had truly understood what Jesus did in the first miracle, the second would have been easy for them to see. They had not rejected Jesus. They just couldn’t fully see who he was.

Do we have problems seeing Jesus for who he is? Do we forget his power? Do we dismiss his love?

But the greatest miracle of all that day was not the feeding of the 5,000 or walking on the water. The greatest miracle was that Jesus was willing to climb in the boat with his disciples.

Because Jesus would have every reason to be frustrated by their unwillingness to trust him and just leave them to their problems. But he didn’t. He climbed in with them.

Remember that! Jesus was willing to come to this frustrated world. He is not a God who merely hovers over us and shakes his head in frustration or sadness—either unwilling or unable to help. He took on our flesh. He gave himself for our sins. He promises that he will be with us always.

And when we face our doubts and fears—when we feel overwhelmed with sadness or crushed with guilt—remember the God you have. He climbs into the boat with us.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me to always see your amazing love. Amen.

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