He Meets You in the Middle | Mark 6:45-52

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Henry Kunkel from West Islip, NY. Thank you for partnering with us through Project23. You’re helping others find peace in the middle of their storms. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 6:45-52:

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to 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, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. — Mark 6:45-52

After feeding thousands, Jesus sends the disciples ahead in a boat while he goes up the mountain to pray. They head out across the water, probably expecting a simple trip to the other side. But as night falls, things get difficult. The wind picks up. The boat stalls. And the disciples are stuck—rowing with everything they’ve got but making little progress.

It’s late, probably around 3:00 a.m. They’re exhausted, confused, and afraid.

And Jesus sees them stuck in the middle. But he doesn’t shout from the shoreline or send instructions from the mountain.
He walks out to them—on the water.

But when they see him, they don’t recognize him. They think he’s a ghost. Fear takes over. And they cry out. But Jesus responds with calm assurance:

“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Right in the middle of the storm, he shows up. He gets into the boat with them. The wind dies down. Peace returns. It’s a miracle and an important one. Jesus doesn’t meet them at the beginning of the storm or the end of the storm. He meets them in the middle of it. When they are the most exhausted. When they are about to give up hope.

And he still does that. Jesus doesn’t always wait for the waves to settle or the skies to clear. Sometimes, he steps right into your chaos—right in the middle of your confusion and fear. Then he comes close. Not to condemn your fear but to calm your heart. And often, his presence is the peace you’ve been looking for all along.

If you're weary, stuck, or straining against the wind—know this: He meets you in the middle. Not when it’s over. Not when you’ve figured it out. But right in the thick of it. Are you in the storm today? Stop fearing, call out to him.

Jesus, we call out for you in our storm. Come to us. Give us peace. Command our storm. Call it calm. Amen

ASK THIS:

1. Why did Jesus let the disciples struggle before coming to them?
2. What does this moment teach you about how Jesus shows up in your life?
3. Where do you feel like you’re “rowing against the wind”?
4. What would it look like to trust Jesus in the middle of it—not just when it’s over

DO THIS:

Write down one area of your life that feels stuck or stormy. Take a few minutes today to sit quietly and ask Jesus to meet you in that space.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I’m tired of trying to row through this on my own. Thank you for coming close. Help me feel your presence and trust your peace, even in the middle of the storm. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Peace be Still.