7 Times Jesus Claimed to Be Godනියැදිය

In Mark 6, Jesus’ disciples struggle to sail, straining at the oars because the wind is against them. Jesus goes to them. As He came near, He was about to pass by them. Is He going to them, or going past them? Has He changed his mind about going to them and decided to race them?

No. Going to them to pass by them seems a bit nonsensical to us until we understand the religious significance of the phrase. It describes an encounter with God, like when God ‘passes by’ Moses in Exodus.

Job describes the wisdom, power, and might of God. God can move mountains and place stars in the sky, and tread on the waters. The image Job uses here speaks of God’s power over chaos – in Job, the Sea is the home of Leviathan, the monster, the enemy of humanity. The sea is a place full of danger. Without a ship to sail in, we would be pulled down into the depths and lost forever. Yet God needs no ship – He treads on the waters, He marches out to Leviathan’s home ground, and Leviathan begs for mercy. Leviathan makes the seas churn, but God steps on the waves and stills them. The forces of chaos can overwhelm and break us, yet God can calm the storm and make us new.

In treading on the water and passing by the boat, Jesus is telling the disciples something about himself. He is the calmer of the storm, the conqueror of chaos, the champion who defeats Leviathan. He reveals God to them in a way that keeps them safe and brings them peace. The disciples clearly understand that they are encountering a supernatural power and become terrified. Jesus calms them: "Take courage, it is I, don’t be afraid."That phrase, "it is I", in Greek, is the same phrase we saw in John 8 – "I Am." Jesus passes by, treads on water, calms the storm, and uses the divine name to identify Himself.

Job can’t see God passing by, but Jesus’ disciples can. We are learning to recognise God fighting chaos and bringing us peace through Jesus, who takes away the sting of death. Does God seem hidden amid the chaos to you, or are you recognising Him in Jesus? In what ways are you aware of God battling chaos and bringing you peace?