Understanding the Miraculous

Questions inevitably arise when we hear reports of the miraculous or testimonies of healing. For some the supernatural is offensive and dismissed, ridiculed, or rationalized away. For others it stirs up a hunger and excitement for more of God, causing them to seek a deeper relationship. I pray it is the latter for you.

Jesus and the disciples feed the multitudes with five loaves and two fish

One key to opening our hearts and minds to the Spirit can be found in Mark 6:45-52. Immediately following the feeding of the five thousand (vv. 36-44), Jesus sends his disciples to Bethsaida by boat while he went up onto a mountainside to pray. Here is the rest of the story:

⁴⁷When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. ⁴⁸He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, ⁴⁹but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, ⁵⁰because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." ⁵¹Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, ⁵²for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Two details are interesting to consider from this amazing event. First, verse 48 says that Jesus was intending to pass by them as they were struggling with the oars in the strong wind. Why would Jesus want to purposely walk by his disciples while they were having a hard time on the water? Jesus only went into the boat because the disciples saw him and were terrified, thinking he was a ghost. Second, verse 52 notes that the disciples' hearts were hardened because they had not understood about the loaves. What didn't the disciples understand about the feeding of the five thousand?

Perhaps the journey across the rough waters was a test for the disciples to put into action what they should have learned from the loaves and fishes- the increase or miracle came by their hands through a divine directive. Could it be that the the disciples were supposed to calm the winds through the authority given to them through Jesus? It takes a soft and teachable heart to accept the idea that God works through human vessels. Eventually the disciples understood the authority, grace, and power they possessed and began to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit just like Jesus. May we have humble hearts to believe and do the same.