In Mark 6:49-50 I read, “When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (NIV)
It’s only in the storms of life that I learn what Jesus is really like. I see that he’s not a mere man. He’s not just a nice teacher or an ethical leader. He is God, the Creator of the universe.
In Mark 6, Jesus noticed the disciples were in distress. They were in the middle of a lake, where the wind and waves were pounding their boat and keeping them from making any progress. And so Jesus walked out to them on the water. “When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid’” (Mark 6:49-50 NIV).
The disciples still had some nagging doubts, maybe Jesus was just a nice prophet who could do some miracles. But by walking on water, Jesus revealed he was far more than just a man. He showed them he was God.
He also gave them a challenge: “Don’t be afraid.” And he reassured them: “It is I.”
In Greek, the language this part of the Bible was originally written in, the phrase “It is I” is actually two words: ego ima. Ego ima simply means “I Am.” Why is that important?
The name of God is “I Am”, not “I was” or “I will be” or “I hope to be.” When Jesus says, “I Am,” he is saying that I don’t need to be afraid. I don’t need to sweat it. He is God. And that is enough.
If I’m going through a storm, I don’t need a job, goal plan, person or a system, I need a Jesus my Savior.
When I’m going through a storm, remember that God is not distant, apathetic, or uninvolved. He is “I Am.” And he will get me through the storm.
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In summary, when they saw him walking on the lake, they cried out, and were terrified. Jesus immediately spoke and told them, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” It’s only in the storms of life that I learn what Jesus is really like. Jesus is not a mere man, a nice teacher or an ethical leader. He is God, the Creator of the universe. In Mark 6, Jesus noticed the disciples were in distress in the middle of a lake. So He walked out to them, on the water. Up till this time the disciples still had some doubts about Jesus. But by walking on water, Jesus revealed he was far more than just a man. He showed them he was God. He also gave them a challenge: “Don’t be afraid.” And reassured them: “It is I.”In Greek, “It is I” is actually two words: ego ima, which simply means “I Am.” The name of God is “I Am”, not “I was” or “I will be” or “I hope to be.” When Jesus says, “I Am,” he is saying that I don’t need to be afraid. I don’t need to sweat it. He is God. And that is enough. If I’m going through a storm, I don’t need a job, goal, plan, person or a system, I need a Jesus my Savior. When I do go through a storm, remember that God is not distant, apathetic, or uninvolved. He is “I Am.” And he will get me through it.
The disciples were afraid, but Jesus' presence calmed their fears. When I experience fear, do I try to deal with it myself, or do I let Jesus deal with it? In times of fear and uncertainty, it is calming to know that Christ is always with me. To recognize Christ's presence is the antidote for fear. So I can take Courage because he is here. Father, I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others and my future job position and leading a small group. I know you are here when I need you and should cry out to you for my needs and my fears. I pray these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.
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