The Struggle In Learning: Mark 6:48-50

Life lessons are usually hard.  It can be difficult because the lesson itself is a difficult one to learn.  It can be difficult because it needs to be learned several times before we really understand.  It can be difficult because it requires long periods of time to learn.  It can be difficult because we are stubborn and make it difficult.  Even worse, life lessons can be difficult for multiple reasons, making the lesson even more complex!

Jesus sent the disciples into the storm.  The reason for this will become plain tomorrow, but it is enough today to realize that Jesus intentionally put His disciples into a boat knowing a storm was coming. The disciples weren’t ready to handle the crowds, but they are ready to deal with the storm.  While God knows we’re not ready for all situations, God also isn’t afraid to put us in harm’s way when the situation is right.

To emphasize this point, Mark tells us very specifically that Jesus intended to walk past them.  He saw the wind was causing the passage to be difficult.  The disciples were surviving, though.  They were making it.  Progress was slow, but they fine.  Jesus meant to pass them by.

I love this part of the story because it is both humbling and validating.  Jesus sent the disciples into the storm knowing they were ready.  Even when He saw the disciples struggling to get through the challenge, He was happy to continue to let them struggle.  Just because God thinks we’re ready for a challenge doesn’t mean it will be easy.  Doing hard things is often called a challenge for a reason.  If it was easy, we wouldn’t call it a challenge.  The disciples were ready for the challenge, but dealing with the storm was still hard work.

While the disciples were fighting against the wind, someone looks out over the waves and sees something walking on the water.  Knowing people don’t walk on water, they make a reasonably natural conclusion in the moment and assume it isn’t a human being.  They conclude they are seeing an apparition or a ghost. This causes them to cry out in fear.  While struggling with this difficult challenge, they come across something they don’t understand and get spooked.  They are trying to make sense of the world around them; they just can’t.

Jesus hears the fear in their voices caused by the sight of seeing Him walking on water.  He knows that while they were equipped to survive on the sea, seeing Him has slightly changed the game.  Jesus has compassion on them and changes the plan.  Instead of passing them by, Jesus calls out to them, identifies Himself, reassured them and reminds them to not be afraid, and comes to the boat.

Once more we see God’s plan change because of human circumstance.  The disciples had been put through a difficult trial and needed a bit of reassurance.  Life lessons are usually hard.