Show Don't Tell: Mark 6:45-52

Instead of saying "Jesus walked on the water," strain at the oars with them. Immediately Jesus makes his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to Bethsaida while he dismisses the crowd. After leaving them, he goes up on a mountainside to pray. Later that night, the boat is in the middle of the lake, and Jesus is alone on land. He sees the disciples straining at the oars because the wind is against them. Shortly before dawn, he goes out to them, walking on the lake. He is about to pass by them—language that echoes God passing by Moses and Elijah. They see him walking on the water and think he's a ghost. They cry out in terror. Immediately he speaks: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." He climbs into the boat; the wind dies down. They are completely amazed—they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. The connection: if he can multiply bread, he can walk on water. Same power, different element. But they missed it.