Mark 6:45-56 “It Is I!”

Mark 6:45-56 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) – Hillsong United
• Christ is Enough – Hillsong Worship
• Who You Say I Am – Hillsong Worship
• I Turn My Gaze to the Lord – WECCLESIA
  • Click [CC] and select ‘English’ Subtitles/CC in Setting [Gear Wheel Icon].

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Jesus Calms the Storm – Bible Story for Kids
• Rend Co. Kids – My Lighthouse (Hand Motions) – Song for Kids
• There is Power in the Blood | HLA Wilderness Escape | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Your Power Will Pull Us Through | Rocky Railway VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• I’ve Got Peace Like a River 👌 Kids Songs ✨ Hi Heaven – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

After performing the miracle of feeding the five thousand, Jesus sent his disciples ahead in a boat (the word “made” in verse 45 indicates that he compelled them to go) while he dismissed the crowd. Then, he went up the mountain alone to pray (v. 46). Jesus prayed late into the night while his disciples struggled against strong, opposing winds in the middle of the lake (v. 47).

Jesus likely had a view of the lake from where he prayed. He watched as his disciples struggled against the wind, and he walked on the water toward them at dawn. He intended to “pass by them” (v. 48). In the Old Testament, there are instances where God “passes by” when revealing himself to people (Exodus 33:19, 22; 34:6; 1 Kings 19:11). By using this expression, Mark may have been conveying Jesus’ divine nature to his readers.

By that time, the disciples were physically and emotionally exhausted. When they saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost and were terrified. But Jesus immediately turned to them and said, “Take heart! It is I. Do not be afraid.” (v. 50). The phrase “It is I” (in Greek, ego eimi) echoes God’s response to Moses when he asked for His name (Exodus 3:14). In the Korean Revised Version, this phrase is translated as “I am who I am,” while the New Korean Translation renders it as “I am I.” This translation corresponds to the Greek Septuagint’s rendering, ego eimi ho on, meaning “I am the one who is.”

Humans can define themselves by saying, “I am this or that,” but such definitions cannot confine God. That is why God declares, “I Am” or “I Am Who I Am.” For Jews who knew the Scripture well, Jesus’ statement “It is I” (I Am) would have carried deep significance. They would have recognized its connection to God’s self-revelation in Exodus 3:14. Jesus subtly yet profoundly revealed his divine identity as the Son of God through this expression.

After saying this, Jesus got into the boat, and immediately, the wind died down, and the waves became calm (v. 51). If the disciples understood the significance of the miracle of the five loaves and two fish from the previous day, they would have recognized who Jesus was when he said, “It is I.” However, they failed to grasp the deeper meaning of what had just happened and were merely astonished because “they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened“ (v. 52).

Meanwhile, the boat initially headed towards Bethsaida but ended up near Gennesaret due to the strong wind. When the disciples dropped anchor and got out of the boat, people quickly recognized Jesus and flocked to him. News about him spread rapidly, and many brought the sick to him. Jesus healed them all, demonstrating his incredible healing power. Just as in the case of the woman suffering from a bleeding condition, even touching the edge of his cloak was enough to bring healing (vv. 53-56).

Meditation:

God is beyond human understanding, beyond human logic, and beyond the limits of human language. He holds the entire universe in His hands. That is why David confesses in Psalm 139, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” (v. 7). Even if we reach the highest place imaginable, God is there. Even if we descend to the lowest depths, God is there as well (vv. 8-10). This means that we can only grasp the edge of His garment, and we can only catch a glimpse of His back. That is why, when God reveals Himself to people, He passes by—because if we were to see Him face to face, we would be overwhelmed and unable to bear it.

God is also present within the smallest atoms of our existence. That is why David declares, “Lord, You have searched me and You know me.” (Psalm 139:1). He also says, “Before a word is on my tongue, You, Lord, know it completely.” (v. 4). Compared to the vast universe, our existence is smaller than a speck of dust. Yet, the God who is greater than the entire universe chooses to dwell within us—beings who are less than dust.

When we try to explain God, we quickly encounter the limits of language. The language was created to describe human experiences, making it inadequate to capture who God is completely. The only way to describe Him is through expressions that seem paradoxical or beyond human reasoning. For this reason, those who are highly confident in their intellectual abilities often struggle with faith. Highly intelligent people tend to accept only what they can logically comprehend. However, those who acknowledge the limits of human intellect are more likely to accept that God cannot be fully understood by reason alone. As a result, they are more willing to set aside their judgments and stand humbly before God.

Jesus is God who came in human flesh. While it is impossible for a human to become God, it is entirely possible for God to take on human flesh. When the disciples witnessed the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, they should have recognized who Jesus truly was. However, they were so overwhelmed by the miracle itself that they failed to reflect on His identity. Likewise, as we read the Gospels today, the One we must encounter is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who declares, “It is I!” (I Am). When we realize that the God who cannot be confined by any human words is with us and within us, we can find our way even amid life’s storms.

Prayer:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Triune God, please do not let us believe that we already know You. Instead, help us to know You more deeply each day. Please do not let us assume that we fully understand Your will. Instead, guide us to seek Your will daily. Please do not let us be confident that we are already living according to Your will. Instead, teach us to examine ourselves daily and follow Your will with fear and trembling. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Jesus is God, and he is always with us, even when we don’t fully understand him. When life feels like a storm, we can trust him because he is “I Am”—the God who is always present and in control.

• For Preschool-Lower Elementary
  • What helps you feel safe when you are scared/afraid?
  • Jesus said, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” How did the disciples feel when they saw Jesus walking on water?
• For Upper Elementary-Middle School
  • The disciples didn’t understand what Jesus was showing them. Have you ever had a time when you didn’t understand what God was doing in your life?
  • What are some “storms” in your life right now? How does knowing that Jesus is with you change the way you face them?
• For High School
  • In Exodus 3:14, God tells Moses, “I Am Who I Am.” Jesus also says, “It is I” (I Am). Why is this significant? How does this shape our understanding of who Jesus is?
  • What does it look like to trust Jesus amid your life’s storms? How can we strengthen our faith even when we don’t fully understand his plans?