READING: John 5-6
It was another of Jesus’ signs in the Gospel of John. In fact, it was the fifth of seven signs in this book. Jesus had changed water into wine, healed an official’s son, healed a man at the pool of Bethesda, and fed the 5000 on the mountain. Now, He was walking on the water toward the disciples who found themselves in a boat on a rough sea.
A storm had unexpectedly gathered over the Sea of Galilee. The wind was blowing. The waves were crashing. Across the rough sea came Jesus walking on the waves, and the disciples were legitimately frightened. The combination of the storm and someone walking on the water struck them with fear. Their Lord’s words, though, must have been comforting: “It is I; don’t be afraid” (John 6:20).
You see, the One who was “I” in this text was not just any “I.” Rather, He was the eternal One. God in the flesh. The life giver. The Chosen One. The Lamb of God. Jesus of Nazareth. The Son of God. The Healer. The teacher from God. The living water. The Messiah. The feeder of the thousands. The One who walks on the waves He created. He alone had the right to tie together His presence and His proclamation; where His presence was, fear would no longer have a stranglehold on God’s people. “It is I” and “don’t be afraid” make sense together when “I” is Jesus.
We, too, need to hear these words. Jesus is still the Son of God, and He lives within His people. His presence surely takes captive our fears and overcomes them. If worries have consumed you, poor health has overwhelmed you, fright has enveloped you, financial strain has consumed you, or impending death has alarmed you, hear the words of our Redeemer again: “It is I; don’t be afraid.”
We truly need not fear when the great “I Am” lives within us.
ACTION STEPS:
- Consider the fears you have in your heart. Whatever they are, believe that Jesus is not caught unaware. Ask His help to lay down your worries and fears.
- As you read through the rest of the book of John, takes notes on who Jesus is. He’s not just any “I.”
PRAYER: “Thank You, Jesus, for walking to me when I could not get to You. Please break the power of fear in my life.”
TOMORROW'S READING: John 7-8