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40 DAYS - DAY 13 - 3.5.21

Love Goes the Distance - Day 13 – Friday, March 5th – Shirley Davis
Scripture Reading – Read Mark 6:45–56 and focus on 6:45–52 below
Remember to Pause | Read | Reflect | Listen |Pray | Journal |Practice | Encourage/Share |Fast


"Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.

Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him.

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in."

This account of Jesus walking on water is one of those "extra" miracles that provokes much thought. It wasn't to restore life, health, or sanity; or meet a need, such as feeding the 5,000 in previous verses. Jesus had deliberately sent his disciples across the lake ahead of him (v.45), so why did he perform this fantastic miracle?

Verses 50-52 hold the key: the disciples were all terrified when they saw Jesus walking on water; then, after he joined them in the boat and the wind was suddenly calmed again, they were "astonished exceedingly [beyond measure]" (AMPC). The reason is explained in v.52: "they still didn't understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in" (NLT). Let's not be like the disciples who focused on the miracle of the food multiplication rather than on the love, power, and authority demonstrated by Jesus - the miracle WORKER!

Prayer Focus – Pray for your spouse today. If you are not married, pray for the unknown person who may one day be your spouse.

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