Do not be afraid; it is Jesus!

John 6:16-21

16 In the evening his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got in the boat, and headed back across the water to Capernaum. It had grown quite dark and Jesus had not yet returned. 18 A huge wind blew up, churning the sea. 19 They were maybe three or four miles out when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, quite near the boat. They were scared senseless, 20 but he reassured them, "It's me. It's all right. Don't be afraid." 21 So they took him on board. In no time they reached land-- the exact spot they were headed to.

Food for thought!

Since yesterday, and for the next days, we are in chapter six of the Gospel of St. John. Yesterday, we say Jesus doing a miracle by multiplying bread. Today, he walks over the water. These two miracles are meant to prepare his disciples for what Jesus will teach us in the next days about the bread of heaven. But before, from today's story, we learn a number of things. We learn that Jesus watches us; he may seem to be away, but in fact he fully aware of what is happening with us. Up on the hill Jesus had been alone in prayer, but was watching his disciples too. He had not forgotten them; He was not too busy with God to think of them. Even now, we know that though up in heaven with His Father, he still watches us; he knows all about me, all about you.  

"Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore?

But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you—never.

Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands.

The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight.

Your builders are faster than your wreckers." (Is. 49:15-17)

When we are up against it Jesus watches. He does not make things easy for us. He lets us fight our own battles. Like a parent watching his son put up a splendid effort in some athletic contest, he does not substitute him but rather feels proud of him.

Jesus does not remove challenges from our life; he empowers us to face them. Remember this as you too struggle with storms in your life. Remember that life is lived with the loving eye of Jesus upon us.

This said, Jesus is not a sadist; he does not enjoy seeing us struggle and fight; he does not stay indifferent when we are drowning; he comes down. Down from the hillside Jesus came to enable the disciples make the last pull that would reach safety. He does not watch us with serene detachment; when strength is failing he comes with strength for the last effort which leads to victory.

Jesus watches, Jesus comes and Jesus helps. It is the wonder of the Christian life that there is nothing that we are left to do alone.

When Jesus came to the them, the disciples immediately reached the shore. Jesus brings us to the haven. As the Psalmist had it: "Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven" (Ps.107:30). In the presence of Jesus the longest journey is shorter and the hardest battle easier.