Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 6:48
"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."
I wondered why the Lord would have walked pass them if they had not called out to him? He obviously saw them, for it says he saw them toiling in rowing, struggling at their oars. It also says he cometh unto them. So He's watching them, knows where they are, comes to them and then would have passed by them.
The next verses continue:
"But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
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."
When it says the apostles saw him and were troubled, the footnotes says they were terrified. It's not clear if they thought Jesus was the spirit or something else. Sound like they thought it was ghost. I would think it would be their fear that made Jesus almost pass them by. That made me ponder on fear.
"Care should be taken to distinguish between two different uses of this word. The “fear of the Lord” is frequently spoken of as part of man’s duty (Ps. 111:10; Eccl. 12:13; Isa. 11:2–3; Luke 1:50); it is also described as “godly fear” (Heb. 12:28). In such passages fear is equivalent to reverence, awe, worship, and is therefore an essential part of the attitude of mind in which we ought to stand toward the All-holy God. On the other hand fear is spoken of as something unworthy of a child of God, something that “perfect love casteth out” (1 Jn. 4:18). The first effect of Adam’s sin was that he was afraid (Gen. 3:10). Sin destroys that feeling of confidence God’s child should feel in a loving Father and produces instead a feeling of shame and guilt. Ever since the Fall God has been teaching men not to fear, but with penitence to ask forgiveness in full confidence of receiving it."
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe."
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
"Wherefore, I, the Lord, have said that the fearful, and the unbelieving, and all liars, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, and the whoremonger, and the sorcerer, shall have their part in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
(Doctrine and Covenants 63:17)
That verse reminded me of the verses that followed in this chapter.
"And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened."
That was the cause of their fear, they had not considered the miracles they had already witnessed. Their hearts were hardened and closed off. They were unbelieving that Christ could perform this miracle of walking on water. When we doubt and are unbelieving we won't receive any greater witness. It required an act of faith for them cry out. That is a great lesson. If we are unsure, or doubting, it's important to cry out to the Lord. He will answer us.
"Ye endeavored to believe that ye should receive the blessing which was offered unto you; but behold, verily I say unto you there were fears in your hearts, and verily this is the reason that ye did not receive."
(Doctrine and Covenants 67:3)
