Scripture

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Observation

After the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus sends the disciples in a boat across the lake. He dismisses the crowd and goes to the hills to pray.

A strong wind arises on the lake. Jesus comes walking across the water at about three o’clock in the morning. Thinking that He is a ghost, the disciples are terrified. Jesus tells them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”

Peter calls out to Jesus, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you walking on the water.” Jesus does this, and Peter gets out of the boat and walks on the water.

Jesus and the disciples land at Gennesaret. Word of his arrival spreads quickly. People come from all over the region, bringing sick people to be healed.

Application

The disciples were scared for their lives on the lake in the middle of a storm. Seeing a ghostly figure approaching them on the water terrified them even more.

At different points in our lives, we can be filled with fear, anxiety, insecurity or terror. If we let them, Jesus’s words, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!” can bring amazing peace into our hearts.

Jesus is always with us. He promised he would never leave us nor abandon us. That means we can face any situation, any challenge, even death itself, with courage.

This is more than the stiff upper lip form of soldiering on in adversity. Jesus promises to take away the terror and to enable us to face our ordeals with peace, calmness and serenity.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the peace that passes all understanding when I put my trust in you. Amen.