> I don't see the distinction. All deeds of power originate in God and his power. By faith people can access that power.
You weren't talking about the disciples, by faith, accessing the power of God. From your original post: "The simplest explanation for Jesus' desire to pass by his disciples is that he expected them to take care of their own problems." That's a VERY different thing, so there is quite a distinction.
> Jesus is the Messiah and the prophet like Moses who has been given authority over the sea by God
The expectation was not that they recognized Jesus as a prophet like Moses. In Mark 8.27-29, he asks them what people say about him, and the word on the street is that He is a prophet. But he neither acknowledges or accepts that answer. He is in a different category than prophet, and even different from Moses.
> You can't pass by a boat you get in.
The text never says he passed the boat and then turned around and got in: "Oh, on second thought, maybe I'll hitch a ride." The text says, καὶ ἤθελεν παρελθεῖν αὐτούς. If, as I have claimed, the "passing by" is a theophany, than what He wished was not to walk past them and keep going, but instead that they would see His deity. His purpose was recognition of His identity.
> In the first sea rescue
This is a different story, but we can swim in it if you want. This is also a story with layers of meaning, as they all are. The parables that precede the event describe God's power. Now Jesus is going to demonstrate it.
Remember, in Mark the sea symbolizes the realm of death and Satan's kingdom of spiritual chaos. The setting is evening (also the realm of evil). This story is not just an allegory or metaphor; I believe it actually happened. But it's bathing in symbolism.
A furious squall came up (in Mark 3.27, Jesus had likened Satan to a strong man). Jesus has metaphorically "entered his house" by crossing on the sea. Jesus, however, is sleeping without a concern. His authority here is unquestionable. While the sea rages, He sleeps. The forces of chaos are not a threat to Him. He can't be overcome by them (Jn. 1.5).
The disciples, as usual, are a mess of panic and fear, and they offer a rash interpretation of Jesus's behavior and posture. They, for all intents and purposes, rebuke Him. They're desperate.
Jesus stands and rebukes the wind and the sea, and then He rebukes His disciples also. Commanding the sea is a prerogative of God in the OT (Job 26.11-12; Ps. 104.7; Isa. 51.9-10; cf. also Ps. 89.25). See also Ps. 18.15; 46.2; 106.9; Isa. 50.2; Zech. 2.10-3.2.). For Jesus this is not an epic battle or any kind of contest. A simple word is all it takes. His sovereignty, authority, and power are unquestionable. That's the point.
Mike Yaconelli makes an interesting comment about this moment. "I have to believe the disciples were petrified. I’ll bet they didn’t move for 30 minutes until, finally, one of them leaned over to the others and said, 'Don’t make him mad.'
I believe the disciples were more afraid after the storm was calmed than during it. The disciples experienced firsthand the dangerous wonder of being with Jesus."
It took so long to break down their mindset that he was more than a miracle-working prophet. In the Jewish mindset, it was impossible for God to have a son and to appear in human form, so I’m sure they still didn’t grasp who Jesus truly was. I’m sure they couldn’t cross that line of understanding. Despite all they seen in his healing miracles, this just shocked them. They are quite blind and full of misunderstanding. Their rebuke of "Don't you care?" is answered with "Don't you get it yet?"
> Jesus' sleep here parallels Jesus' desire to pass by the boat in the other sea rescue. They both represent Jesus' great faith.
This is WAAAAAY off the mark. The point of these stories is never Jesus's faith, but instead His divine power and authority. There is NEVER a place in the Bible where Jesus is said to believe, or ANYTHING about faith on His part. NEVER. It's always what Jesus knew and what He did.
> I don't see the distinction. All deeds of power originate in God and his power. By faith people can access that power.
You weren't talking about the disciples, by faith, accessing the power of God. From your original post: "The simplest explanation for Jesus' desire to pass by his disciples is that he expected them to take care of their own problems." That's a VERY different thing, so there is quite a distinction.
> Jesus is the Messiah and the prophet like Moses who has been given authority over the sea by God
The expectation was not that they recognized Jesus as a prophet like Moses. In Mark 8.27-29, he asks them what people say about him, and the word on the street is that He is a prophet. But he neither acknowledges or accepts that answer. He is in a different category than prophet, and even different from Moses.
> You can't pass by a boat you get in.
The text never says he passed the boat and then turned around and got in: "Oh, on second thought, maybe I'll hitch a ride." The text says, καὶ ἤθελεν παρελθεῖν αὐτούς. If, as I have claimed, the "passing by" is a theophany, than what He wished was not to walk past them and keep going, but instead that they would see His deity. His purpose was recognition of His identity.
> In the first sea rescue
This is a different story, but we can swim in it if you want. This is also a story with layers of meaning, as they all are. The parables that precede the event describe God's power. Now Jesus is going to demonstrate it.
Remember, in Mark the sea symbolizes the realm of death and Satan's kingdom of spiritual chaos. The setting is evening (also the realm of evil). This story is not just an allegory or metaphor; I believe it actually happened. But it's bathing in symbolism.
A furious squall came up (in Mark 3.27, Jesus had likened Satan to a strong man). Jesus has metaphorically "entered his house" by crossing on the sea. Jesus, however, is sleeping without a concern. His authority here is unquestionable. While the sea rages, He sleeps. The forces of chaos are not a threat to Him. He can't be overcome by them (Jn. 1.5).
The disciples, as usual, are a mess of panic and fear, and they offer a rash interpretation of Jesus's behavior and posture. They, for all intents and purposes, rebuke Him. They're desperate.
Jesus stands and rebukes the wind and the sea, and then He rebukes His disciples also. Commanding the sea is a prerogative of God in the OT (Job 26.11-12; Ps. 104.7; Isa. 51.9-10; cf. also Ps. 89.25). See also Ps. 18.15; 46.2; 106.9; Isa. 50.2; Zech. 2.10-3.2.). For Jesus this is not an epic battle or any kind of contest. A simple word is all it takes. His sovereignty, authority, and power are unquestionable. That's the point.
Mike Yaconelli makes an interesting comment about this moment. "I have to believe the disciples were petrified. I’ll bet they didn’t move for 30 minutes until, finally, one of them leaned over to the others and said, 'Don’t make him mad.' :) I believe the disciples were more afraid after the storm was calmed than during it. The disciples experienced firsthand the dangerous wonder of being with Jesus."
It took so long to break down their mindset that he was more than a miracle-working prophet. In the Jewish mindset, it was impossible for God to have a son and to appear in human form, so I’m sure they still didn’t grasp who Jesus truly was. I’m sure they couldn’t cross that line of understanding. Despite all they seen in his healing miracles, this just shocked them. They are quite blind and full of misunderstanding. Their rebuke of "Don't you care?" is answered with "Don't you get it yet?"
> Jesus' sleep here parallels Jesus' desire to pass by the boat in the other sea rescue. They both represent Jesus' great faith.
This is WAAAAAY off the mark. The point of these stories is never Jesus's faith, but instead His divine power and authority. There is NEVER a place in the Bible where Jesus is said to believe, or ANYTHING about faith on His part. NEVER. It's always what Jesus knew and what He did.