[216 words]
“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don t be afraid ” (Matthew 14:27).
After feeding the 5,000, Jesus “made” the disciples go on ahead of Him in the boat while He dismissed the crowd and prayed. When the wind and the waves get fierce in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus comes walking to his terrified followers on the water. His words to them tell so much about His purpose. “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” reveal that because Emmanuel “God with us” is with them they can have courage and not be afraid. Peter takes Him at His word and asks to come to Him only to sink when his eyes were no longer fixed on “the author and perfecter of [his] faith.” It wasn’t until Peter’s faith had been tested and they had climbed into the boat that the wind died down. Jesus used his power over nature to point out a principle He speaks to His followers today who read, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” That principle is that because “it is I,” we can take courage and not be afraid.
But will you step out of the boat and keep your eyes fixed on Him?
Doug Kashorek
Plattsburgh Church of Christ
Plattsburgh, NY