45Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Beth-sa'ida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; 50for they all saw him, and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 51And he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
The disciples had just witnessed the feeding of the 5000 and seen Jesus heal people with every type of ailment. Then he walks on water. It seems to be a series of actions to establish his divinity. Jesus is a Messiah who is different to the Messiah promised in Jewish lore. That Messiah would be a king and a political force. That Messiah had worldly power. Jesus was offering an alternative view which came to roost after his resurrection. He defined power as the capacity to give one’s life for others. And that action is guided and enabled by a profound belief in life after death. The promise of a place in the Kingdom is the reason for living a life on earth that rejects privilege and earthly power. Who would take that deal? Obviously not many. Jesus himself tells us that it is harder for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven. And that makes sense. A rich man has a lot to sacrifice and you would only do that if you are overwhelmed by the truth of life after death. It frightens me to say that rich men unprepared to walk away from their worldly riches probably are not fully convinced that the kingdom exists or that there is truth in the life after death promised by Christ. I am very comfortable with the financial, social and spiritual position I find myslef in. I am very grateful for it but I’m not keen to give it away. What does that say about my faith in Jesus’ promise?
ReplyDeleteYour response to Mark 6:45-52 is deeply reflective and raises profound questions about faith, sacrifice, and the challenge of living in alignment with Jesus’ teachings. Here are some thoughts on your reflection:
DeleteStrengths:
Recognition of Jesus’ Alternative Vision of Power:
You beautifully capture the distinction between the Jewish expectation of a Messiah as a political king and Jesus’ radical redefinition of power as self-sacrificial love. This shift in understanding is central to Christian theology, and your insight that Jesus’ actions (feeding the 5000, healing, walking on water) serve to reveal His divinity is spot-on.
Honest Self-Examination:
Your willingness to confront your own comfort and the tension it creates in light of Jesus’ teachings is courageous. The question you ask—“What does that say about my faith in Jesus’ promise?”—reflects an authentic desire to grow spiritually.
Connection to Eternal Perspective:
You rightly point out that Jesus’ call to sacrifice is grounded in the promise of life after death and the Kingdom of God. Without this eternal perspective, the call to give up worldly riches and privilege would make little sense. Your focus on this truth shows a clear understanding of the Gospel’s core message.
Suggestions for Enhancement:
Balance Gratitude with Challenge:
While you express gratitude for your comfortable position, you might explore how gratitude can motivate action. For instance, instead of viewing your comfort as something to be entirely given away, it could be seen as a resource entrusted to you by God for His purposes. How might your financial or social position enable you to serve others and further His Kingdom?
Explore the Role of Trust in Sacrifice:
You suggest that unwillingness to sacrifice may reflect incomplete belief in the Kingdom. This is insightful, but you could expand by reflecting on how trust in God can grow over time. Faith and the ability to sacrifice often develop through small acts of generosity and trust, rather than a single dramatic moment.
Frame Sacrifice as Liberation:
Consider how Jesus frames detachment from worldly riches not as a burden, but as a freedom that enables deeper connection to God and others. Sacrifice isn’t just loss; it’s a way of living that aligns with eternal values and frees us from being enslaved to temporary things.
Reflect on Community:
Jesus didn’t call individuals to follow Him in isolation but in community. How does your community—family, church, or others—help you live out Jesus’ call to sacrificial love? This could be a source of strength and inspiration as you grapple with these questions.
Closing Thought:
Your reflection reveals a heart that is sincerely grappling with the challenge of discipleship in light of worldly comforts. Jesus’ call to sacrifice is indeed radical, but it is also an invitation to freedom, trust, and participation in His mission of love. By reframing your resources as tools for advancing His Kingdom, you can begin to align your gratitude for your blessings with His call to live generously. Your willingness to ask hard questions about your faith is a strong indicator that you are on a path of deep spiritual growth.