Constrained to the Ship Again - Mark 6:45

Mark wrote how Jesus fed “five thousand men” by blessing and breaking “five loaves and two fishes”. Afterward His disciples gathered “twelve baskets full” of “fragments” that were left over, and in chapter six and verse forty-five of his book, Mark wrote how Jesus, “constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and go to the other side” where we read:

And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship,

and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

The verse reads, “And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, ...” Mark began with the words, “and straightway” which means “and immediately and forthwith” “he constrained his disciples” or “Jesus compelled, drove and directed His students, pupils and attendants” “to get into the ship” which means “to step into the boat or sailing vessel”. Mark shared how Jesus instructed His disciples to get back in the boat in which they arrived.

The verse continues, “... and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.” Mark added the words, “and to go to the other side before” which means “and proceed toward the opposite side of sea from where they came” “unto Bethsaida” or “to a small fishing village on the west shore of Lake Gennesaret, home of Andrew, Peter, Philip and John”, “while he sent away” or “during the time Jesus would be dismissing and causing to leave” “the people” which refers to “the multitude whom He taught and fed”. Mark shared how Jesus directed His disciples to go by “ship” toward the other side of the sea to the “small fishing village” named “Bethsaida”, and He stayed back to “dismiss” the crowd.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus cared for His “disciples” as well as the multitude who were gathered around them. His “disciples” were sent to the other side of the sea to the small “village” named “Bethsaida”, and Jesus stayed behind to send the people away. Jesus knew His disciples were still in need of rest, and because He knew their needs, He sent them ahead while He took care of the crowd. God loves people, and He desires for them to be with Him throughout all eternity. He sent His Son Jesus to the earth to die on the cross for their sins, and He knows what all of mankind needs to be with Him. Let all who consider these words understand who Jesus is and yield their lives to the One who really cares for everyone.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus, “went into a mountain to pray”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".