He See's You

Sermon Title: A Wind Against Them, But Jesus Saw Them

Introduction

Tonight, we turn to Mark 6:45-52, where the disciples were struggling against a wind—rowing in the darkness, trying to reach the other side.

Have you ever felt like that? Like no matter how hard you push, life keeps resisting you?

But I want to remind you—even when you don’t see Him, He sees you. And He is calling you to keep going—to make it to the other side.

I. Jesus Sends Them Across the Water (Mark 6:45-46)

Jesus tells His disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to Bethsaida, while He goes up the mountain to pray.

He knew the wind was coming. He knew they would struggle.

But He sent them forward anyway.

Some of us are wondering—"Lord, why would You send me into this?" Why send them into a wind instead of keeping them in safety?

Because faith is built in the journey, not just in the arrival. God sometimes sends us through resistance to strengthen us for what’s ahead.

II. The Wind Against Them (Mark 6:47-48)

The disciples were in the middle of the lake, straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.

They were trying to stay the course.

How many of us are fighting against opposition right now? Trying to move forward, but feeling stuck?

And yet—though they could not see Jesus, the Bible says He saw them.

Some of us are rowing, struggling, pushing forward—wondering if anyone sees what we’re going through.

But just as He saw the disciples—He sees YOU.

III. Jesus Comes Walking on the Water (Mark 6:48-49)

Then He came to them, walking on the water.

And what happens?

They didn’t recognize Him.

They thought He was a ghost.

Fear distorted their perception of God.

Sometimes, God is moving in our lives, but we don’t recognize Him.

He comes to us in ways we don’t expect—in trials, in delays, in resistance.

But even when they didn’t know it was Him—He was there.

IV. His Words in the Wind (Mark 6:50-52)

Jesus speaks to them in the wind, saying: "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid."

Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down.

Notice something: the wind did not stop until He stepped in.

Some of us have been rowing for too long, fighting against the wind, trying to reach the other side on our own strength.

But here’s the truth—you will not make it without Him.

His presence is what carries us through.

V. Keep Rowing—You Will Make It to the Other Side

Jesus told them to go to Bethsaida—that was His command from the beginning.

And though the wind was against them—they kept rowing.

Some of us are halfway through our journey, wondering if we have the strength to keep going.

But let me remind you: Jesus didn’t send them out to drown. He sent them out to make it to the other side.

If He told you to go, He will get you there.

If He sees you in the struggle, He will meet you in the journey.

If the wind has been fighting you, Jesus is coming to calm it.

Don’t stop rowing. Don’t turn back. You will make it.

VI. Conclusion & Call to Faith

Tonight, I ask you:

Are you rowing against a wind?

Have you been straining at the oars, pushing forward, but feeling resistance?

Have you struggled to see Jesus in the middle of it?

Let me tell you—He sees you.

Even when you don’t see Him, He is watching. Even when the wind is against you, He is coming. And when He steps in—the wind will die down.

Let’s pray: "Lord, help us to trust that You see us, even when we don’t see You. Strengthen our faith to endure the wind, to keep rowing, and to make it to the other side. In Jesus’ name, Amen."