Jesus in the Storms of Life
Matthew 14:25-27: "And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.'"
The fourth watch of the night is around 3:00 a.m. The disciples had been in a tumultuous storm for hours, fearing for their lives, and wondering how and if they would get to the other side. It was then that they looked up to see a man walking towards them on the water. How could a man be walking on water, let alone in this raging sea? Their questions led to fear. They feared the storm; they feared for their lives; and now they feared this unknown being walking on the water.
Jesus wanted to teach these men how to live by faith and not in fear. He spoke to them: "It is I." Remember the words the Lord spoke to Moses, "'I Am' has sent me to you" (Ex. 3:14). Jesus revealed himself to be this great "I Am." As the great "I Am," Jesus has control over the wind, the waves, and the laws of gravity. Thus, he can walk on the water, and he can calm their storms.
What calms fears? The presence of Jesus, the great "I Am," the one who can speak a word and the wind and the waves obey him. Jesus wanted the disciples to know that his presence changes everything. His presence brings peace in the storm; his presence brings authority; and his presence brings hope into their greatest fear. The disciples would slowly learn to replace their fear with faith.
What about you? What are you doing with your fear these days? Do you know that in the greatest storms, the greatest unknowns, Jesus is with you and he will never leave you nor forsake you?
Jesus speaks the same words to us today in our storms: "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
The fourth watch of the night is around 3:00 a.m. The disciples had been in a tumultuous storm for hours, fearing for their lives, and wondering how and if they would get to the other side. It was then that they looked up to see a man walking towards them on the water. How could a man be walking on water, let alone in this raging sea? Their questions led to fear. They feared the storm; they feared for their lives; and now they feared this unknown being walking on the water.
Jesus wanted to teach these men how to live by faith and not in fear. He spoke to them: "It is I." Remember the words the Lord spoke to Moses, "'I Am' has sent me to you" (Ex. 3:14). Jesus revealed himself to be this great "I Am." As the great "I Am," Jesus has control over the wind, the waves, and the laws of gravity. Thus, he can walk on the water, and he can calm their storms.
What calms fears? The presence of Jesus, the great "I Am," the one who can speak a word and the wind and the waves obey him. Jesus wanted the disciples to know that his presence changes everything. His presence brings peace in the storm; his presence brings authority; and his presence brings hope into their greatest fear. The disciples would slowly learn to replace their fear with faith.
What about you? What are you doing with your fear these days? Do you know that in the greatest storms, the greatest unknowns, Jesus is with you and he will never leave you nor forsake you?
Jesus speaks the same words to us today in our storms: "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
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