Mark 6:45

Mark 6:45 says, And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. After the feeding of the five thousand, the disciples might have been ready to celebrate and enjoy the praise of the people who were fed.  Sometimes, if we have been a part of a miracle of God, we might think that we somehow should be praised instead of making sure that God gets all the glory.   Jesus told the disciples to get in a boat and cross over to Bethsaida.  There was nothing left for them to do where they were.  We need to be careful that we do not remain where we are simply because of past successes.  We must always rely on God to send us where He wants us.  Verse forty-six adds, And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.  Jesus was not in the boat with them, but He went alone to the mountain to pray.  We may think of Jesus always being physically with His disciples, but at times we know that He went by Himself to pray.  I believe that it is just as important that we have time alone to pray for God's guidance in our life today.  Verse forty-seven continues, And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.  Jesus was by himself when evening came, and the disciples were separated from Him physically. Still, they should have been spiritually with Him.  As Christians, we should never be separated from Jesus spiritually.  Verse forty-eight states, And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. Jesus saw the disciples rowing hard against the wind about three in the morning.  They did not have it easy because they were Jesus's disciples but had to face daily hardships which would always be a possibility as they followed Him.  We cannot expect life to always be easy as Christians but instead should always be prepared for hardships in life.  Since Jesus was not physically in the boat with them, they were relying on their own abilities to overcome the wind blowing against them.  As followers of Christ, we should never forget that He is with us always and we need to look to Him for the solution to our problems.  More accurately, the Holy Spirit is always with us after we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Jesus came walking to them on the water and would have passed them by.  If they did not acknowledge Him, Jesus would not help them.  We need to acknowledge Jesus today at all times, but especially in times of trouble, if we expect Him to help us.  Verse forty-nine adds, But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: The disciples thought Jesus was a spirit, and they did not recognize Him, but called out to Him anyway.  We need to acknowledge Who Jesus is if we are really to look to Him for help. Verse fifty continues, For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.  Jesus talked to the disciples, and said for them be of good cheer, that it was He and for them to be not afraid.  When we acknowledge Jesus, we have no reason to be afraid.  Verse fifty-one says, And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.  Jesus went to them in the boat, and the wind died.  When Jesus comes to us, He will calm all our storms as long as we put our faith in Him.  Verse fifty-two adds, For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.  The disciples were amazed, because they had already forgotten the miracle of the loaves, because at that time, their hearts were hardened.  We should never be surprised when Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, does something miraculous today.  If we fail to recognize when He is at work in our life, it will be because we have hardened our heart against Him.  For the disciples to receive help from Jesus, they had to call out to Him, even if they did not fully understand everything about Him.  The first step to salvation is to call out to Jesus, even if you do not know everything about His power.  We will never understand everything about Jesus, at least not in this lifetime.