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.”
Although David's kingdom had neither a navy nor a merchant marine, storms at sea often appear in the Bible, especially storms on the shallow Sea of Galilee. All four of the Gospels mention the Lord's authority over the raging waters; he commanded storms to cease and they stopped immediately; he walked on water as if it were dry land. St. Luke, in the closing chapters of the Acts of the Apostles describes Saint Paul's harrowing escape from the storm on the Mediterranean and their shipwreck off the coast of Malta. The Apostle was absolutely confident that he would arrive in Rome, as he did. Nor would he survive alone like the careless Odysseus.
There are few things in life more frightening than a storm at sea; the ablest sailors may perish despite their skills; and even the largest ships -- aircraft carriers! -- head another direction when they're given ample warning. But the Bible assures us that God has authority over the seas. In the Gospels, storms represent all of the troubles the Church has faced, and will face. They invariably include a message to His disciples, "Do not be afraid."
Under the leadership of a narcissistic imbecile whom we elected, the United States has marched off to another Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan -- this time in Iran. Our loss there will again drain our resources, sap our spirit, and cause severe doubts about democratic processes. We may face a fatal constitutional crisis before it's over.
It is time to practice fear of the Lord -- and nothing else. This is not the time to be afraid for ourselves, our loved ones, or our security. Those who fear the Lord have faced far worse situations with enormous confidence because they surrendered their lives, fortunes, and destiny to the God who raised up Jesus Christ.
Like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, we understand fear. It comes, takes possession of us for a time, and passes on by. No human emotion lasts very long, despite our useless efforts to nurse them. And so fear comes upon us and reminds us of the One to whom we surrendered long ago.
He may find us hidden like Lazarus in the tomb, with chains and bonds to hold us down, apparently dead, but He will call us back to life, vitality, confidence, and joy.
“It is I. Do not be afraid.”
