How does Mark 6:48 connect with God's presence in Exodus 33:22? Opening the Texts Side-by-Side Mark 6:48: “He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, He went out to them, walking on the sea. He intended to pass by them.” Exodus 33:22: “When My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.” Shared Language, Shared Purpose • Both passages hinge on the phrase “pass by,” a Hebrew-rooted idiom for a theophany—God making His glory visible. • In Exodus, Yahweh’s “passing by” reveals glory while shielding Moses for safety. • In Mark, Jesus “intended to pass by” to reveal His divine identity to disciples battered by wind and waves. Mark 6:48 — Jesus Unmistakably Divine • Walking on the sea echoes Job 9:8: “He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.” • The intention to “pass by” places Jesus in the God-role from Exodus; He is not merely helping sailors but displaying glory. • Verse 50 adds the self-identification, “Take courage! It is I,” literally “I AM,” mirroring God’s covenant name (cf. Exodus 3:14). Exodus 33:22 — Yahweh’s Protective Revelation • Moses, hidden in the rock, receives a glimpse of glory without being consumed (Exodus 33:20-23). • The moment affirms God’s nearness during Israel’s wilderness uncertainty, just as Jesus affirms His nearness during the disciples’ storm. A Continuous Thread • God’s glory passes by Moses on solid ground; God’s glory in Jesus passes by the disciples on shifting waves. • Both events occur in isolated, precarious settings (desert mountain; turbulent sea), underlining that God meets His people where human control ends. • The same divine presence that sheltered Moses now strides openly in flesh, declaring that the covenant-keeping God has come near. Additional Texts That Echo the Pattern • 1 Kings 19:11-13 — The LORD “passed by” Elijah with a gentle whisper, another revelation of intimate presence. • John 1:14 — “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.” • Hebrews 13:5 — “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Living in the Reality of His Nearness • Storms and wilderness moments still come, yet the One who revealed glory to Moses and walked on water with disciples has promised continual presence (Matthew 28:20). • His “passing by” is no longer a fleeting glimpse; through the indwelling Spirit (John 14:16-17) believers experience steadfast, personal fellowship with God. |
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