Be Not Afraid

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. (John 6:20 KJV)

Jesus was speaking to His disciples, not to a crowd of people waiting for wise words. They had seen a miracle that day where five thousand were fed with five loaves and two fish. Afterward Jesus sent the crowds, and the disciples, away.

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. (Matthew 14:23 KJV)

The disciples followed His request.

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. (Matthew 14:22 KJV)

And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. (John 6:16-17 KJV)

In this instance they showed no fear of the wind driven storm.

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. (Matthew 14:24 KJV)

And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. (John 6:18 KJV)

What they did fear is Jesus, walking on the water.

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. (Matthew 14:26 KJV)

So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. (John 6:19 KJV)

Peter responds as so many people do today.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (Matthew 14:28 KJV)

“Lord, if you’re real, show me.” We look for proof when He calls us. We cannot believe our senses because what we feel sounds unreasonable. Yet when He calls we respond as Peter did and follow.

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (Matthew 14:29 KJV)

Unbelievers tell us how wrong we are and how wrong God’s word is. We ask for signs along the way beyond what He has given. Our logic, our reason tells us this can’t possibly be so. We doubt. We falter. We fail. We fall. We fear.

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (Matthew 14:30 KJV)

Jesus responded then just as He will for us today.

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14:31 KJV)

Amedee Varin: Le Christ marchant sur la mer 1908 (Wiki Commons)