Then he made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward 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. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were (completely) astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened. (Mk 6:45-52)
Jesus went to the mountain to pray. He did not take the disciples to pray with him as he did in Gethsemane. This prayer was after the great miracle of feeding the five thousand. Did he go to thank (pray) the father? Prayer had been very personal. He did not want the people also to be with him during prayer for he dismissed them before prayer. Prayer is between God and the individual.
Jesus walked on the water. He had control over the wind. In short he had control over nature. Only God had power over nature. The Jews believed that nature and history is the arena where God works. God had done in Exodus where he changed the history of the people who were slaves and to do it he showed his control over nature. Here Jesus is beginning a new Exodus and he has power over nature and history.
He got into the boat and he travelled with his disciples. A boat that was tossed by wind has safe journey. Jesus was ready to travel with the disciples who were in trouble. Jesus who had power over wind and water could have eased the situation and gone on his way. But here he came down to be with the disciples to feel with them and to be with them and to travel with them. Jesus traveled with the disciples.
