Stop Fearing! I AM!

It is easy for people to fear something they do not fully understand. So it was with the disciples (Mark 6:45-56).

Jesus had performed many miracles: preached the good news, healed the  sick, fed the five thousand, and driven out demons. But, the disciples did not really understand who Jesus is. You see, they had seen bits and pieces of Jesus by what He had done, but not the whole Jesus through faith.

Jesus sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee in a boat. A storm arose and it was dark. Pretty scary. Then Jesus came out to them walking on the water. They thought, "A ghost!" Jesus said, "Be of good courage. Stop fearing. I AM." Jesus got into the boat. The storm died down. The disciples were amazed. They still didn’t get the whole picture.

We are often like the disciples. Jesus sends us out on His mission. We see troubles and are afraid. Even when Jesus comes to rescue us, we do not understand and appreciate His power to save. We often find it easier to deal with Jesus in pieces -- the Christmas Jesus and the Easter Jesus -- as opposed to the Jesus who comes to live in our hearts and calls us to serve Him full-time.

Accept the whole Jesus, the whole blessing, and the whole life in Him. He says to you, "Stop fearing! I AM [God]!" Thank God! Amen.

Pastor Raymond Van Buskirk,

Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX www.rlcbaytown.org