Chapter Five

It Is I; Do Not Be Afraid

The Setting

When we last saw Jesus on the grassy slopes above the Sea of Galilee, he instructed his apostles to return to their boat and cross to the other side of the lake while sending the crowds home. And while the cool of night fell upon that day of miraculous feasting, Jesus turned uphill to find a more remote place to pray through until the morning. To do the works of his Father he needed to spend much time with Him in prayer (read John 6:15-21).

Since this was the time of year when Passover was approaching the moon would be waxing towards full and providing a clear, crisp light for great distances over the waters of the lake. From the place where Jesus prayed, it would be quite possible to see movement, and any changes in the weather, on the Sea below.

Most of the apostles were experienced fishermen, accustomed to working their nets throughout the night to bring in their livelihood. The lake supports many types of fish, with a variety of tilapia favored even today in Israeli restaurants. Their route that night would have taken them out into the deep, away from the northern shore, then, heading mostly towards the west, they sailed toward Capernaum, but contrary winds prevented their progress.

The Background

This story is also recorded in Matthew (read ch.14:22-33) and Mark (read ch.6:45-52). St. John’s account is very brief and appears only to be a necessary transition in the events of the day. Additional layers of detail from the other gospels give us a clearer picture of the events and additional insights into the thoughts of the apostles. Matthew and John, who were both in the boat that night, tell us that Jesus made the apostles get into the boat and go before him to the other side. But Mark, who heard these stories from Peter, writes in his Gospel that ‘the other side’ actually meant to go to Bethsaida, which would have been very nearby to the east. When they manned their boats and set out, they headed west toward Capernaum instead. But why would they go in a direction opposite to how they were instructed? Jesus brought them to a remote place to rest and recharge; perhaps they had expected Jesus to have ministered to their needs. But the day was long and filled with toil serving the multitude. Now they only longed for the comfort of their own beds. Surely Jesus would understand they wanted to head home! But shouldn’t they have heeded His commands? And if they were to ‘go before him,’ wouldn’t that mean that Jesus intended to follow and meet them?

You have to consider though; did Jesus actually want to go to Bethsaida, or perhaps he was anticipating the approaching contrary winds? Maybe he was trying to send them to safety as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, they headed in a direction of their own choosing and faced overwhelming opposition because of it. Quite possibly they made no progress because they were heading in the wrong direction! That day, they had seen him miraculously heal, deliver, teach, and feed thousands, but these men, his apostles, still had much to learn about the man they called Master.

The Event

The wind became strong and contrary, and they had to row, buffeted by the waves for hours, desperately trying to make headway on their six-mile journey to Capernaum. Every stroke made their bodies ache more for the comfort of their beds. Only halfway home, early in the morning before first light, at that time when the night seems to be darkest, they thought they saw something. The unmistakable figure of a man was coming towards them atop the water. Wet, cold, and shaking, they strained their eyes to pierce through the darkness, and fell back in terror, fearing they were seeing a ghost!

The idea of ghosts or spirits as disembodied souls has always been a common notion. People have been lost in the heat of debate over their reality. Most remain very skeptical, while others wholeheartedly pursue evidence of their existence. Ghostbusters and paranormal hunters fuel the imagination but never really settle the argument. Literature and Hollywood make their millions off of this bewilderment. And as a result, the faith of many becomes misguided, eroded, or shipwrecked not knowing what to believe.

Through the comforts we receive from God’s word, we have peace and assurance, both in life and in death. Without it, mankind has always lived in fear of death. It stands to reason that, while fearing for their lives, the apostles also feared death and all things dead. But the question comes to this; when they saw Jesus walking on the water towards them; was it the ‘ghost’ that produced the fear, or was it the fear that created the ‘ghost’? Obviously, their fear was determining what they saw. Each of the Gospels records that Jesus made an immediate response to their reaction by identifying himself, saying, “be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” The order of his statement is rather interesting. He did not say, ‘don’t be afraid, be of good cheer, it is I’. That would almost sound like Superman had arrived to save the day! Conclusively, Jesus is no superhero; he is God, and he does not need to declare his superiority or parade His abilities. No matter what opposition, strain, or weariness we face, the comfort we receive from the Lord, and His promises of eternal life, should cancel our fear and cause us to triumph in life over it. We can count on the promise that “perfect love casts out all fear”.

The Sign

                “Be of good cheer” Jesus announced. Rather than first condemning their fear, Jesus encouraged them to change their response; for a proper recognition of what they were seeing would lead them to an appropriate emotion. Jesus wants faith to be inspired, like in the words of Psalm 42, so that they could worship properly. “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” Jesus didn’t come to them to shock or to amaze them, he came because they were weary, tired, and in distress. The application of the verse is this; when you, the Psalmist, or the apostles stop to realize who God always is (the help of our countenance), you’ll begin to worship Him with true praise and thanksgiving.

According to Mark’s gospel, their emotions did change. They ‘marveled’, for with Jesus in the boat the winds stopped completely and there was no longer any danger!  You might think that ‘seeing was believing’, but not this time. Mark suggests their fear reaction was due to a lack of understanding and because their hearts were hardened. Imagine that! After a day of ministering miraculous meals to the multitude, they didn’t understand the significance of it. Tired, sore, frustrated, and angry, they were in no state of heart or mind to see the sign demonstrated before them that dark and dangerous night.

So, Jesus reaffirmed his presence and his help to change their hearts and minds. Being forced to accept the reality of their changed situation, they finally moved from their position of disbelief. There must have been a long, jaw-dropping, mouth-open stare at Jesus as He stepped into the boat. Sometimes we too ‘just can’t believe’ when some difficulty in our lives suddenly turns around. When you are amazed and marvel because God changed your situation, you should be reminded to live in faith with nothing doubting, and always believing God for His help.

When those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “truly you are the Son of God,” this meant something more than that Jesus was their promised Messiah. You have to consider what made the Israelites different than all other nations throughout the course of history. God had made them His own people by dwelling among them. As the years unfolded, the prophets spoke of God’s promise and declared that One would come, not as a representative of God, but as a manifestation of His presence in the flesh. The prophet Isaiah said, “He will be called Immanuel, God with us.” The apostles finally considered all they had seen and recognized that this was not just an anointed messenger, but the very Son of God! The apostles had to be brought out of their fear and doubt and into a place where they could “worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth”.

The Conclusion

The story is not complete without looking at the events through the eyes of Matthew, for he records a part of the story that has become a favorite with preachers and Sunday School teachers alike. The story of Jesus walking on the water is made all the more remarkable because Peter had his own way of testing whether the impossible could actually be possible. Although his demand came as a prerequisite to faith, at least he recognized he had no power over the physical laws of nature in himself. Without hesitation, Jesus gave the command! He said, “Come” and Peter came down out of the boat and walked on the water.

Jesus demonstrated again what He taught countless times; that by our faith nothing is impossible. St. John records it for us in ch.14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”  But when Peter saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and began to sink. Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Stepping out and acting on the Word of God doesn’t test God, it is really a test of ourselves! We think we’re properly equipped, and step out to face a challenge, only to take our eyes off of Him and our feet begin to sink again.

But be encouraged, no matter how many times we try to get out of our boats, to face our fears, and find ourselves sinking; He is there reaching out his hand. We should take courage and try and try again. And in trying, remember, only, don’t doubt!