Some things are so obvious we almost miss them.

One of them is found in Mark 6. The disciples have been walking and talking with Jesus himself. What an amazing opportunity! They have seen him preach and teach, heal people, cast out demons, calm a storm, and raise a dead child back to life. As if that wasn’t enough, he walks on water and comes to their rescue.

Yes, the followers of Jesus were in trouble. They were in a boat battling against a storm. Their lives were in danger—again.

Here’s the thing we sometimes miss: Being a disciple doesn’t excuse you from danger. It was true then, and it’s true now.

We sometimes think that because we follow Jesus and because God is good that nothing difficult or dangerous should ever happen to us. That’s simply not true. 

Do we have amazing blessings? Absolutely. In Christ we are spiritual billionaires. We have peace and forgiveness with God forever. We have light and hope and purpose. The list goes on and on.

At the same time we experience hardship. Jesus outright tells us that his people often experience persecution. And being one of his followers means we are willingly signing up for a life of loving self-sacrifice.

There is good stuff. And there is tough stuff. In the Bible life is frequently described as a battle. A battle. There are battles that need to be fought and won.

Even still, we need not fear. Jesus’ message to the disciples under duress continues to be relevant: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Mark 6:50, ESV).

J.C. Ryle comments: “He may not come to our aid at the time we like best, but he will never allow us utterly to fail.”*

We don’t always know the time or nature of our trials. We don’t always know the reason either. Life is a battle. There is good stuff. And there is tough stuff. But with Christ there is always help and hope.

“He may not come to our aid at the time we like best, but he will never allow us utterly to fail.”*

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Notes:

–“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. [Proximity]” Sermon. January 12, 2025. Click here.

–*J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Mark, as quoted in the Church History Study Bible (Wheaton: Crossway, 2023), 1484.