The twelve disciples are jubilant. They have returned from their time of ministry sharing  Messiah’s message. Unfortunately, the time of jubilation over the positive results came to a screeching halt with the news. 

  

Joy Interrupted 

  

While Jesus’ disciples were sharing the good news in other cities, Satan had other ideas. John the Baptist had now been imprisoned for ten months because he spoke out against the marriage of Herod to his brother's wife. (Mark 6:17). Because of a hasty vow, Herod had John the Baptist beheaded. Now, Herod Antipas believed, “John, the man I beheaded, has come back from the dead.” (Mark 6:16).  

  

Compassion for the Crowd  

  

Alone time was needed for Jesus to grieve over the loss of His cousin. “And He said to them, ‘Come aside, by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.’ For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So, they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.” (Mark 6:31-32). Life was hectic but in this secluded area He and the apostles might have a chance to re-energize.   

  

Time alone, though, was not found. As He neared the lake, a crowd of over five thousand gathered awaiting Jesus’s next actions. “Jesus saw the huge crowd as He stepped from the boat, and He had compassion on them because they were sheep without a shepherd. So, He began teaching them many things.” (Mark 6:34). The Gospel of Matthew adds, “and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14).  

  

The Miracle of Provision  

  

As Jesus ministered, the crowd continued to grow. Inhabitants from the neighboring villages flocked to hear the message. As evening approached, the twelve admonished Jesus to “Send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves some bread for they have nothing to eat.’” (Mark 6:35-36). What a hopeless situation: that much bread would be impossible to find.  

  

For Jesus, though, it was another opportunity. The crowd's spiritual man had been fed; now to prove God could answer their physical needs as well. Following Jesus’s instructions, the twelve seated everyone in groups, and somehow found five loaves of bread and two fish. The bread was probably barley bread, bread that even the poorest could afford. The word in the original text for fish was “opsarion,” a small dried and pickled fish, somewhat like a sardine. These fish were eaten without being cooked. (Edersheim). While the few items discouraged the disciples, Jesus simply said, "Enough," Taking these, “He looked up to Heaven, blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples to set before them. And the two fish He divided among them all. So, they all ate and were filled.” (Mark 6:41-42).   

  

Knowing the disciples were exhausted, He told them, “Get into the boat and go before Him, to the other side, Bethsaida.” (Mark 6:45). While the disciples prepared to leave, a small murmur spreads throughout the crowd. And then arose to a feverish pitch: “Surely, He is the Prophet we have been expecting.” (John 6:14).  “What are we waiting for? Let’s make Him our ruler! (John 6:15a).   It was not yet time. “He slipped away into the hills by Himself." 

  

The Storm and the Savior  

  

As Jesus prayed Satan arose again in fury, and a horrific storm developed on the lake; so strong even the professional fishermen feared for their lives.  

  

 When Jesus noticed His disciples were caught in the storm's onslaught, His only thought was to calm their spirits. With God's help, Jesus ignored the   

waves and walked on the water toward them. The disciples only saw a ghostly form and were terrified. But Jesus spoke to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” (Mark 6:50).   

  

Peter, in the excitement of the moment, cried out to Jesus, “Lord if It is You, command me to come to You on the water.” (Matthew 14:28). Jesus complied; Peter walked toward Him--“But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!”’ (Matthew 14:30). Jesus at once rescued him and took him back to the boat.  

  

 Did Peter’s lack of faith doom him? Definitely not. He had walked, if only for a few steps. That was what he would remember. He had actually walked on the water! Like anything else done for the first time, his faith grew. With time, he could also become a water-walker.  

  

The storm on the lake revealed yet another dimension of His authority to the twelve. The One who fed their bodies also calmed their fears

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