Do no be afraid

April 9, 2005 Jn 6:16-21

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid." They wanted to take him into the boat,
but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.

Do not be afraid. The reward of faith, a freedom from fear is a special gift. It seems the disciples were frightened by a strong wind then by the sight of Jesus walking on water. The ability to walk on water and make a boat immediately appear on the shore are signs of abilities beyond what a mere man could do. The forces of the wind and sea are more than a person can control but in the hands of God. It is not always simple to accept that my life is in the hands of God.