Tuesday, April 5

Jeremiah 17:19-27
Psalms 94, 95, 97, 99, 100
Romans 7:13-25
John 6:16-27

John 6:16-27, NIV

It is amazing how God continues to hammer us with the same message sometimes, until it finally hits home. The other night in Bible study we learned that there are 365 instances in the Bible that say not to be afraid. Sure enough, Jesus says to his disciples in v. 20, NIV “It is I. Do not be afraid.” We learned also that God guides us through new and unfamiliar territory. Jesus walking to and joining his disciples on the stormy sea of Galilee is a perfect example of that.

Right now, we are in the season of Lent. Things seem dark and uncertain. It must have seemed that way for the disciples on the boat as well. We can relate, can’t we? They were expecting smooth sailing, and that is what we would like too. Instead, we are faced with our own storms from time to time. People, places and things we were sure would remain in our lives for a while for whatever reason turn out not to be. As Fr. Patrick so eloquently put it, these are “missing pieces.” We cannot fully understand the reason for this here on Earth. However, we can rejoice in the fact that no matter how big the storm, Jesus will somehow bring us safely to the other side.

Though the disciples were fearful, they must have decided they preferred their chances with Jesus rather than on their own. After Jesus tells them not to fear, the very next verse says “So they took him on board.” (v. 21, The Message). Are you ready to trust Jesus, and welcome him into your life today, as the disciples welcomed him into the boat? Maybe for the first time, or maybe as a daily commitment as you walk with him? Will Jesus always stop the storm, or immediately bring us through? We know that is not always the case. But the promise we can take away from this passage is that sooner or later, we will get there.

Susannah Westlake