But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” John 6:20 NABRE
After feeding five thousand men, Jesus goes off by Himself to pray. His disciples leave by boat crossing the sea and are caught of in a storm. Several miles out in the sea Jesus comes walking to them on the water and they are afraid. John in the telling of this story seems to have the disciples recognize it is Jesus and yet they are still afraid. Though they have seen a great number of signs from Jesus, walking on the water seems to really throw them. Jesus tells them to not be afraid, it is I. It is I, reflects the divine revelatory formula of Exodus; God replying to Moses when asked who he should say sent him, “I am who I am.” (3:14) This is the true reason for fear. Jesus is now a revelation of the Lord, which usually evokes fear, and is always followed by the statement, do not be afraid. God is so awesome and powerful people don’t know how to react when meeting God, particularly in a situation where God comes at you walking on the water. But Jesus’ voice calms the disciples and they want to take Him into the boat. Identifying Jesus as Lord, knowing they have travelled with Him as a friend wakes the disciples up to the true significance of their mission.
We too know Jesus and know Him as God, He desires to have a personal relationship with us, revealing the Father to us. By making us friends we too should see the awesomeness of the relationship, and realize God needs us. Maybe being afraid is the right response, even for us today. There is no mission more important then being a disciple of Jesus, we are to share who He is, and revealing through Him the Father. Of course we do this with our life, starting with the first hello when meeting others.
Do you reveal Jesus through your life? Can you hear Jesus saying to you, “Do not be afraid?”
There is no mission more important then being a disciple of Jesus, we are to share who He is, and revealing through Him the Father. Of course we do this with our life, starting with the first hello when meeting others. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #reveal #afraid #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways