“But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 

These men, those who were fishermen, had been in storms before, but this time they couldn’t control the boat. They cried out. What was dramatic in the dark, amidst the lightning flashes, they got a glimpse of a figure walking to them. They were sure it must be a ghost. The word used in the Greek is greatly or extremely terrified. There was nothing to do. They had no place to go. The figure came closer and closer to them. Then they heard the voice they recognized. “Take courage it is I. have no fear.” He was saying to them “Don't worry it’s me”. These were words from the water, for in this passage Jesus spoke words they needed to hear the most just as He does for us in our times of need.

The KJV translates the word be ‘of good cheer’. The RSV says, ‘take heart’. TEV says ‘take courage.”  Courage is to stand strong against adversity. Hang in there and do not be afraid. Jesus most certainly saw their need. They were scared. I am sure I would be too.

What adds to fear? First, emotions are heightened when you are tired. They, no doubt, were tired after spending a long hard day on the beach with Jesus as they shared in feeding 5,000 and more people. They were excited over witnessing the miracle and Jesus’ power to multiply the food. They wanted so much for Him to be with them, to ask Him more questions and share in His presence, but Jesus sent them off while He needed time to be alone with His Father in prayer. Jesus in His human nature needed rest and needed to get away from people. He needed to recharge His emotional batteries. We all need times of rest, not just sleep at night, but spiritual resting in the Lord in prayer, meditation and reflecting on the Word of God.

Although they could get away from the crowds, they had to do the work of rowing, setting the sail and making off on their water journey. Now it says it was during the fourth watch. That is somewhere between 3 and 4 in the morning. They were at it all night. Fear is a natural emotional response to danger. The worst time for fear is in the dark at night being alone, at sea and in a storm.
When I was in chaplains’ training, one of the assignments was to spend a couple of hours a week manning the phones of the Crisis Intervention Center at Hennepin County General Hospital. It was a hot line for those depressed, or contemplating suicide. My shift was about 9-11pm before the next shift came. We were aware most of the calls came at night when they concentrated on their problems and felt most depressed. One tactic was to talk with them, listen and remind them there are people to help. We would try to make an appointment for them the next morning or day. The next day things weren’t quite so gloomy unless it was clinical depression. They made the commitment which was helpful. If we could just get them through the night and have a plan for tomorrow there was hope.

I am reminded of the little boy who at night was afraid when the lights were turned off. His mother tried to comfort him with the words, “Remember Johnny, Jesus is with you.” To which he responded, “He might be with me, but I want someone with skin on.” Sometimes we become the Jesus with skin on for other people going through fear.

Application: Examine your fears and remember Jesus is always with you. Be observant of others’ fears and be a servant to them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, open our eyes to compassion for others as we never know what they are truly going through. Helping others through their storms can also give us courage with our own fears.

Dale