Jesus called out to them and told them not to be afraid!

John 6:16-21 We can walk on water, with Jesus!

That evening his disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed out across the lake toward Capernaum. But soon a gale swept down upon them as they rowed, and the sea grew very rough. They were three or four miles out when suddenly they saw Jesus walking toward the boat! They were terrified, but he called out to them and told them not to be afraid. Then they were willing to let him in, and immediately the boat was where they were going!

Food for thought!

Since yesterday, and for the next few 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 is fully aware of what is happening with us. Up on the hill Jesus had been since yesterday alone with his father in prayer, 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. That's why he said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20).

God cannot forget us. He said, "Never! Can a mother forget her little child and not have love for her own son? Yet even if that should be, I will not forget you. See, I have tattooed your name upon my palm." (Is. 49:15-17).

Jesus watched them and he watches us. However,  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 them to 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. In the presence of Jesus the longest journey is shorter and the hardest battle easier. In Psalm 46:1, we learn, "God is our refuge and strength, a t ested help in times of trouble."