June 10, 2016

Mark 6:46 NKJV - "And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray."

Commentary:

Note, in verse 45 Jesus sent His disciples away in a boat and He sent the multitude away too.  Think on that for a moment.  Jesus sent people away.

Why?  Well, the rest of our Daily Verse suggests a very good reason.  Jesus wanted time alone to pray.  He wasn't being unkind, or uncaring.  He had already shown great compassion for the crowd, verse 34 and He had originally brought His disciples aside for their "rest," verse 31.  Now, however, Jesus wanted time to spend with His Father, alone.

But He also wanted people, especially His disciples, to learn that though they didn't see Him they could still trust Him.  The men would learn this as mentioned in verses 47-51 when Jesus would "walk on water" during a storm to show them He knew where they were and what they were going through. 

And He always knows that about you.  Remember what Jesus said to Thomas back in John 20.  "Because you have seen Me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  Dear reader, that means you! 

Do you ever feel alone, even thinking that God seems to have "sent you away" or He has left you?  Does it seem there are times when God doesn't care?  Are there times in your life when you pray and there seems to be no answer?  I've had many times like that!  But this is where our faith can grow as we learn to "wait on the Lord" and trust Him even when we can't see Him.