Sometimes the most important thing Jesus can give us is not relief from our struggle — it’s the assurance of his presence in the middle of it.
Sermon Title: WHEN JESUS SHOWS UP
Sermon Text: MARK 6:45-56 (ESV)
Sermon Series: BREAD AND BLINDNESS: DO YOU SEE WHO HE IS?
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
MARK 6:45-56 ESV
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And 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, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. 53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
You can be around Jesus for a long time and still not really recognize him for who he is.
The Jesus we want isn’t always the Jesus we need. And the Jesus we need isn’t always the Jesus we’re ready for.
WE WANT RELIEF, BUT JESUS OFFERS PRESENCE
“made” Greek: anagkazó “to necessitate, compel, to strongly urge, even to force.”
Sometimes the most important thing Jesus can give us is not relief from our struggle — it’s the assurance of his presence in the middle of it.
The presence of Jesus is more precious than the absence of problems.
At the end of the day, we don’t just need a solution, we need a Savior who stays.
WE WANT PREDICTABILITY, BUT JESUS REVEALS GLORY.
EXODUS 33:18-19 ESV
18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
1 KINGS 19:11 ESV
11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
“It is I” Greek: egó eimi “I am.”
We want a Jesus we can manage. But we need a Jesus who blows up our categories and shows us he’s God.
The Jesus we want fits inside our plans. But the Jesus we need is one who reveals his glory.
WE WANT EXPLANATION, BUT JESUS LEAVES US AMAZED.
“utterly astounded” Greek: existémi “beside themselves; out of their minds with amazement.”
“hardened” Greek: póroó literally “made of stone.”
The disciples saw miracles with their eyes but hardness kept them from seeing with their hearts.
There’s a difference between recognizing Jesus and being recognized by Jesus. When he gets in your boat, everything changes.
Grace is Jesus stepping into the boat of people who still don’t fully see him.
A Jesus you can completely explain is a Jesus too small to worship.
Real discipleship starts where your explanations end and your awe begins.
We want a Jesus we can explain, but we need a Jesus who leaves us amazed.
