Devotions
Rev Gav
Companions
Mark 6.45–52
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.
Reflect
How many full sermons could be written about this Bible story?! And yet, I have just a couple of hundred words to write a daily devotion to help carry you into your day!
As a Bible teacher it feels almost criminal to not mention that Jesus, going to pass the disciples by, was a direct reference to how God displayed glory by ‘passing by’ Elijah and Moses. Or how Jesus, walking over the water (that represented chaos), reminds us of the Spirit hovering over the chaotic waters in Genesis. Or how Jesus used the phrase, “egō eimi” meaning “I AM.” In other words, “Do not be afraid for the I AM is here!” And there’s only one other place in the Bible that phrase is used and that is when God self identifies to Moses!
Yup, this is one feature-packed story. So which of these hugely important, deep, theological themes shall I pick? None of them. Instead, today, I want you to reflect on the fact that Jesus climbed into the boat.
After this amazing theophany (an appearance of God) to his disciples, Jesus climbed into the boat and the wind and waves calmed. Jesus wanted to be with his disciples; his friends. After everything that had happened, with his companions is where he wanted to hang out. I love that. His presence among his friends was the most important thing.
At FAB Church we are building community. Among the words we use in our Sunday gatherings is the phrase ‘apart but together’. Our distinct relationships with Christ (and it matters not how tenuous they are) bind us together in love. We are fostering a community where we want to be with each other, and through ministering to each other, discover that Christ is present with us in our ‘boat’. This brings us great joy and peace.
Today, remember that you are not alone. You are part of a fabulous community of Christians, God is right there and present with you, and you are continually connected to each other through the same Holy Spirit. How wonderful is that?
Pray
Holy God
Thank you that I am
not alone and that your
Spirit is with me.
Thank you for the
joy, peace, and strength
I experience through knowing
I am connected to
my church family.
Thank you that I do not
journey through life alone,
and that you have given me
companions who love me,
accept me, and champion me.
This day and forever.
and then