Scripture Text: John 6:16-21
But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”
John 6:20
After Jesus fed the five thousand in the town of Bethsaida, the next place He wanted to minister to was in Capernaum, across the Lake of Galilee, so He told the disciples to go to the boat and row at once because He needs to disperse the people and get them home. He did not follow the disciples instantly, instead, He went up the hills to pray. After the disciples rowed 3-4 miles, Jesus appeared to them, walking on the water. The disciples got frightened because they were thinking that it is a ghost, but when Jesus told them, "it is I, do not be afraid," their fear subsided.
Halloween just went by, and because of tradition, one feeling remained in us every time this day would come—fear. Fear that we can see ghosts, souls, or spirits of those who are already dead. Because it is souls' day, souls or spirits are roaming around. This is only a myth (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, 10). Well, spirits are real and they are with us but they are not the spirits of those who are dead. They are not the spirits of our dead loved ones, but are completely different ones. There are two kinds of spirits: (1) good spirits—the Triune-God and the angels, and (2) evil spirits, Satan, and also his angels.
In the passage we read, we saw a different kind of story. The disciples got frightened because they assumed that Jesus walking on water was a ghost. But when He said to them. "it is I, do not be afraid," their fear subsided. The Lord Jesus Christ has shown them that time mighty works that only God can do and it is also like saying "I am God, do not be afraid."
Friends, let us all be reminded that in this life, we will face different kinds of struggles, problems, trials, and persecutions that when it comes, we may not even recognize the presence of God and maybe doubt because of our little faith, because we lack on studying His words (the Bible), we do not really listen to sermons, and we seldom talk to Him in prayer. But remember what Jesus told the disciples: "it is I, do not be afraid", which calmed and comforted them. And when they let the Lord in on their boat, the passage also said that they immediately arrived at their destination.
What a wonderful and amazing experience they had in Jesus. Meaning, Jesus in our boat (life) will guarantee that we will reach the destinations He would want us to go. Hallelujah!
Reflect
1. Are there trials and challenges in your life that you are facing now?
2. Do you think you can win over those, without the help of Jesus?
3. Would you allow Him to be on your boat (life) and let Him fight those struggles and be victorious?
Remember
God is always there to comfort us and not to frighten us.
God is always there to make us win the battle and not make us a loser.
Read
Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 41:13; Luke 14:27; Deuteronomy 3:22
Pray
All praise be to You LORD, for You are the one true God and nothing can compare to Your sovereignty. I pray that You will always give me the courage to stand against the works of the enemy, so that I can always glorify Your Name. Help me to be strong so that I will not be shaken and be frightened by trials and problems that will come into my life. These I pray in Jesus, the Name above all names Amen.
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