Verse of
the Week
John 6:
16-21
And when
evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went
over the sea towards Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not come to
them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had
rode about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea drawing near
the boat; and they were afraid. But he said to them, It is I; do not be
afraid. Then they willingly received him into the boat, and immediately the boat
was at the land where they were going.
Thought for
the Week
This part
of the verse speaks multitudes: It was now dark and Jesus had not come to
them.
Ever feel
that way? Some circumstance in your life seems dark and you feel that Jesus has
been silent or even missing? Not only that, but then comes a great wind on the
sea! When will it end, we wonder?
As the
disciples were being tossed and not anywhere near the other shore, Jesus comes
calmly walking through the storm. Why is it they were afraid of Jesus, of all
people, when they had so much else right now to be afraid of? Perhaps it was
because they did not recognize him as Jesus. Do you recognize Jesus when He
comes to you in the storm?
Jesus
certainly wasnt frightening, but perhaps His very presence and the knowledge
of His majestic power over this storm was what made them afraid with a new kind
of fear: a heavenly fear - an awe and reverence for Who He really was. It
finally dawned on them in the middle of their night that the living God was
among them.
He says to
us the same as He said to them, It is I do not be afraid. He was not only
the God of the storm and the sea, but was their very friend whom they loved
coming near and offering freedom from their earthly fears.
Then
something significant happens: immediately the boat was at the land where they
were going. He not only relieved their fear, but took them where they needed to
go without any further effort on their part. Isnt that so encouraging? When we
recognize Who He really is and allow Him to calm our storms, we find ourselves
miraculously at the other side!
Our journey
isnt so much about how and when we get to the other shore He will take care
of that; its about what we learn about our Lord on the trip that is truly
important. Do you recognize Him today?
~dlw
Related Tags: Bible study, devotions, John, John 6:16-21, Jesus, disciples, storm, dark, darkness, fear, safety
