Thursday 11 November 2021

Psalm 35:1-3, 9-18

Background

Following the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus sends his disciples ahead of him in a boat while he dismisses the crowd and then spends some time in prayer. As the night draws on, he sees the disciples straining to control the boat as the wind blows, but it is not till dawn that he makes his way out to them.

The next line can be somewhat confusing as Mark tells us that Jesus was about to pass by them. The phrase seems odd as it looks like Jesus is seeking to walk by on the water to the other side without acknowledging or helping his struggling followers. If we see the phrase in the context of how it is often used in the Old Testament when God passes by Moses (Exodus 33:19) or Elijah (1 Kings 19:11), it shows us another meaning. In these instances, God is revealing something of his glory to these people. So, when Jesus goes to ‘pass by’ the disciples in the boat, he is not seeking to ignore them but, instead, reveal himself to them.

When he enters the boat he offers his disciples words similar to those the angels brought to Mary and others in the birth narratives. In the midst of a storm, Jesus has come to reveal himself to his followers and to speak words of peace. It is a reminder to us that it is sometimes in the storms of life that we see Jesus in his glory more clearly and that his words of peace come to us to help calm the storm and our hearts.

To Ponder:

• Have there been times when you felt in the midst of a storm?
• Take time to think whether there have been moments in your life when Jesus has felt especially close.

First published in 2018.