Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.

Devotion based on Mark 6:47-50

Where was Jesus? The disciples had been sent across the Sea of Galilee by Jesus. But now, hours later, they are still straining against the oars, trying to overcome the wind blowing against them. It sounds like this went on for hours. Perhaps the disciples wondered, “Where is Jesus?”

It turns out not far away at all. Jesus was keeping his eye on them. He knew what they were going through. As the darkness began to be chased away by the coming dawn, Jesus went out to them.

And when their loving Savior comes near them, they cannot see him. The disciples believe they are seeing a ghost. Apparently, there was a popular Jewish superstition that seeing spirits in the night was a sign of an impending disaster. They are terrified.

Does Jesus seem far away from you? Do your persistent prayers result in no visible changes or answers? Have you given up on seeking your God in worship? Have you allowed your Bible to grow dusty, and now you feel disconnected from your God? Do you feel all alone, like Jesus has passed you by in the night?

Take comfort in your Savior’s consistent love. He knows you better than you know yourself. As he was aware of the disciples’ struggles, he is aware of yours.

The truth is that Jesus is never far away from us, no matter how we may feel. He came near to us when he took on human flesh to save us. Before he ascended into heaven, he promised to always be with us—not in some fairytale, imaginary sense, but truly present. Always. And he continues to draw near to us in his Word and the Lord’s Supper, assuring us of his love, forgiveness, and presence.

Prayer: