1. Mark’s Gospel The Next Right Thing Mark 6:42-56

2. Mark 6:42-46 And all ate and were satisfied; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
(Mt. 4:21, ‘besides women and children.’)
(John 6:14-15 “When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.)

3. Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.

4. In Mark, Jesus goes away to pray on three occasions:
1:35, the first time the crowds overwhelm him
6:45, facing a “revolutionary groundswell”
13:35-39, just before his arrest
Jesus deliberately separates himself from the crowds, and even from his disciples. Each prayer is at night in a lonely place.
Each time, he faces a huge challenge, and uncertainty about how to proceed.

5. 1. Prayer is where Jesus finds clarity.
Clarity about his mission.
1:36 proclaim the message
6:56 heal the sick
13:42 face arrest
Clarity about the next right thing.

6. Prayer is where Jesus finds courage. Courage to do the next right thing.
Crowds are demanding, chaotic, needy, SICK.
How does Jesus find the wherewithal to keep showing up??
Enemies are real, and increasingly aggressive.
Why doesn’t he STAY alone in the hills??

7. Disciples are committed, but not a lot of help
Disciples are committed, but not a lot of help. They are so often unskilled, unaware, untrusting. They are not children. Why does Jesus keep them on??

8. And yet he does. 3. Prayer is where Jesus renews his patience
And yet he does! 3. Prayer is where Jesus renews his patience. Patience with his followers who are slow to believe. “Take heart.” Mark 6:48-52 When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. 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.

9. He intended to pass them by
He intended to pass them by. 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.” Then 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.

10. In this story, Jesus’ walk on the water was beside the point.
It was simply a means to the end of comforting the disciples, unaware and untrusting as they still remained.
Young Jesus at Bath Time

11. His night of prayer gave Jesus clarity, courage, and patience to do the next right thing. Mark 6:53-56 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

12. What is our next right thing. How do we know
What is our next right thing? How do we know? It’s not determined by the crowds and their agenda, compelling as that may be. It’s not determined by our closest family or friends, neither their enthusiasm or fears. We find our clarity, courage, and patience alone with God, in prayer.