Mk 6:45-52 - Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Could it be that it is our hard hearts prevent us from fearing God? They shouldn’t have been utterly astounded by walking on water because they had seen him feed five thousand. I am not sure which is easier: breaking loaves or walking on water. I think they are both the same in degree of difficulty. So, when the disciples saw Jesus walking on water, if there hearts were hard, they wouldn’t have been so astounded. But, they were astounded because they didn’t have the proper fear of God, yet. God said do not be afraid because I am the only one worthy of true fear. But, this is a great insight into what keeps us from true fear, namely, heart hearts.
