Don’t Be Afraid
By Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist
Read: John 6:10-21
“Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and 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.” (John 6:18-21)
When Jesus fed the 5,000 men and their families (John 6:10-13), with the women and children included (see Matthew 14:21), there could have been over 15,000 people present. When everyone was full, Jesus had the disciples collect the leftovers, which filled 12 baskets. That’s one “doggy bag” per disciple, each a reminder of the Lord’s supernatural provision for each disciple.
When the people saw the miracle that Jesus did, they exclaimed, “This truly is the Prophet who is to come into the world” (John 6:14; see Deuteronomy 18:15-18). They recognized that Jesus’s miracles pointed to his identity. So far, so good. But when Jesus realized they wanted to take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself (John 6:15). As we will see in John 6:26-27, they only wanted the physical benefits he offered. They wanted the blessings without the blesser.
While Jesus was still on the mountain, the disciples got into their boat and started across the sea because Jesus had not yet arrived (John 6:16-17). A high wind started to blow, and the waves began to churn (John 6:18). As if that were not bad enough, they saw Jesus walking on the water, and the sight terrified them (John 6:19). They feared that he was a ghost (see Matt. 14:26).
Jesus calmed their fears and assured them that he was no ghost (John 6:20). So they were willing to take him on board. Then, immediately the boat was at the shore where they were heading (John 6:21). So, one moment they were in the middle of a stormy sea; the next moment they had miraculously reached their destination.
Don’t miss that once they were willing to receive Jesus into the boat, he dealt with their problem and delivered them where they needed to go. When believers recognize and respond to the presence of Jesus in the midst of their struggles, they invite the supernatural into their negative circumstances. And Jesus takes care of the problem.
Like the disciples, we have no idea what is coming in our storms, but we find comfort as we learn to know the Lord as the one who is always faithful and true. We learn that in all of our struggles we can experience the power of the Lord’s calming presence. Because he is there powerfully working in our lives. We do not need to afraid.
Read Ron Purkey’s free Bible study outlines atrcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.