GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 4:36
Other Boats
 There was a recent report that three teenagers were seriously injured and one was killed in an automobile accident, and the driver and a passenger in the car they hit were also injured. The blood test on the teenage driver revealed that he had a blood alcohol level of 0.09—well above the legal limit for any driver. It is against the law for anyone younger than 21 years of age to operate a motor vehicle while having any level of alcohol in his or her system. This incident is only one tragic example of how one’s actions can affect others. One disgruntled employee can demoralize others. Spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories can harm others, as evidenced by the recent spread of measles among unvaccinated people. It was the Apostle Paul who wrote, “Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Cor. 15:33)
Of course, the other side is also true. A kind word can encourage others. Kindness in public can inspire others to be more considerate and helpful. Parents who are patient and encouraging can build a child’s confidence. Eating healthily and exercising can inspire others to adopt healthier habits.
St. Mark provided a brief glimpse into how one’s behavior affects others when he wrote, “And after they dismissed the crowd, they took him along as he was in the boat, and other boats were with him.” (Mark 4:36) The brief phrase “and other boats were with him” often gets overlooked in this story. After Jesus’ long day of teaching, the disciples backed their boat away from the shore and headed for the other side of the lake. People in other boats had apparently gathered around Jesus’ boat during the day, and when the disciples embarked on their journey, some of the other boats appear to have followed. As Mark’s story continued, these other boats dropped out of the narrative, but they were likely affected by the same conditions as the people in Jesus’ boat.
A good question is: “How many “other boats” are with me?”
Directory