A few years ago I went to the Men's Retreat for the first time at Silver Birch Ranch. It was my first time there and we walked around the camp we saw they had paddle boats that were free to use. There was a young man who came with our group and we decided to go for a ride on the paddle boat. We took the paddle boat out but it was rather windy that afternoon so we had such a hard time getting back to the shore. We knew where we were at and where we wanted to be but it was exhausting paddling against the wind. In today's reading we find the disciples exhausted as well... Jesus Walks on Water When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough 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 were frightened. But he said to them,“It is I; do not be *afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. *I would’ve been scared too! Must be cool to walk on water though. - V For me there are so many questions as to why Jesus was walking on the water in the first place! Three of the four Gospel accounts record Jesus walking on water. This has to be the shortest and because the Gospel writers had a target audience and purpose in writing with a particular portrait of Jesus, I assume that this was what he wanted his audience to read/hear at this point in the Gospel according to John.
This Gospel of John is essentially written to the Church that they would know Jesus as God the Son. The multiplication of the bread and fish was the first miracle recorded and Jesus saying, "I am the bread of life." is the first of 7 I Am statements that Jesus makes in the Gospel of John. Having just declared Himself the bread from heaven and saying they must eat His flesh so many walked away from Him but the disciples still follow Him. They are in this boat probably wondering and discussing what just happened when this wind and storm comes and it at the point of exhaustion Jesus shows up. The funny thing is that the text says, "Then they were glad to take him into the boat". They were exhausted and now terrified itt wasn't like they were expecting Jesus an dwould have said, Hey Jesus come on into our boat. Jesus tells them, “It is I; do not be *afraid.” Our English translation says "It is I", but Jesus actual said "I AM, do not be afraid." Knowing all the other followers of Jesus left and these needed to know that Jesus is God in flesh- their sustainer, power and Almighty God. Jesus walks on the very thing that was making their life difficult at that time! Jesus may not always show up walking on what makes our life difficult but He does strengthen our faith by allowing difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible situations so we would learn to trust Him. Our faith like muscles exercised becomes larger and stronger because of Him. What are you facing today that Jesus can speak into your life.. I AM, do not be afraid." If this is not your situation this may be God calling you to come along side another believer and Jesus in flesh to them. They may need to hear you say. Jesus IS, do not be afraid. Have a great Loved Ones and God bless you real good!
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