Time for the Boat to Leave

Peter's Boat on the Sea of Galilee
Israel excursion. 

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. Mark 6:45 

That evening Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn't come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. John 6:16-17

 

Meditate. Consider disciples’ obedience.

 

Immediately. Jesus had a plan of action. Send the people home. They’d been fed, physically and spiritually, and it was time for them to go home while they could still travel in the light. Meanwhile, He wanted the disciples to go across the Sea of Galilee to Bethsaida, near Capernaum. What was He going to do? He didn’t tell the disciples. Did you read ahead to see just what happened next?

Jesus always has a plan. He spends time with His Heavenly Father and gets His orders from Him. Pray. Listen. Do. That was just how Jesus’ life went. He followed the orders given to Him. Do you do that? Do I do that? For me, it is just a good habit every morning to ask God what He wants me to do for Him today. Just to be open to obedience and to want to please the Lord is important to me. Is it to you? We all have a choice to make—daily and moment by moment.

 

Prayer – Lord God, what would You like for me to do for You today? Is it simply to smile at everyone I see, provide food to the homeless, or obediently serve my family? I am Your willing servant.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." Romans 10:9-13 NLT

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Give thanks for the food you are about to receive. Jesus just fed 5,000 men and their families. He gave thanks to God (John 6:11) and blessed the food. (Mark 6:41). Do you say a blessing for what God provides for your meal each time you eat? There are many rote prayers that people standardly say as a blessing. Here are some that I heard at some time in my life, and still hear people using today.

            God is good. God is great. Let us thank Him for this food. By His hands we all are fed; give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen.

            Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts we are about to receive from thy bounty and grace, through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

            Heavenly Father, thank You for this food and for the hands that prepared it. May it strengthen our bodies and spirits. Amen.

            Bless this food, O Lord, and bless our time together.

            We thank You, Father, for the food before us, the family and friends beside us, and the love between us. Amen.

            Lord, bless this food for our use and us for Your service, and keep us ever mindful of the needs of others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen

No matter what you say—God hears your prayers and the gratefulness of your heart. Continue to express your thanks to Him for all that He provides, whether it is barley loaves and fish or macaroni and cheese.

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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