Teachings from Quest for God's Own Heart Ministry

Do Not be Afraid. I AM Here!

John 6:16–21

The disciples struggled to keep the crowds from following Jesus. “Where is He going?” Thomas asked.

“He needs to spend time with the Father.” John responded over the noise of the crowd.

Peter lifted his hands, calming the crowd. “It is getting dark. If you want to talk to Jesus, you can go to Capernaum tomorrow. He will be teaching in the synagogue.”

The crowd looked dejected. Many were complaining. “We need to take Him now. He can free us from the Romans” an old man in the crowd roared.

“If He can bring the dead back to life, He can free us from our bondage” another shouted.

“Please, listen to me” Peter shouted over them. “It’s too late tonight. It’s time for you to go. You can see Him tomorrow.”

The crowd finally began walking away, leaving the disciples alone. The night air was cool and crisp, and the quietness of the night was almost deafening. You could hear the orchestra of crickets in the distance, singing their songs of praise to the God of the Universe.

When the last of the crowd was only a shadow in the horizon, Peter sighed. “Let’s go to the beach. Maybe Jesus is waiting for us there.”

The disciples looked exhausted. Walking through the same field they saw the feeding of the 5,000, not a word was spoken. Their heads hung low, as if they were too tired to even lift them. Their feet dragged across the ground, creating a small dust storm behind them.

When they finally made it to the edge of the sea, Peter softly spoke to John as he rinsed his feet in the water. “I thought He’d be here.”

“We should cross the sea, Peter.” John answered. “You know how He likes to pray all night with the Father. He will find us in the morning.”

“I’m too tired to even row, John.”

“Don’t worry old man.” John responded with a smile. “We will row for you. Do I need to help you in the boat, too?”

Peter looked at John for a moment, before a grin slowly formed. They both laughed as they got into the boat.

The boat had seen better days, but it was still sea-worthy. The surface of the water was calm tonight. Small ripples of water gently slapped against the boat as they rowed across the sea. Peter sat against the bow, as his eyes grew heavy.

Suddenly a gust of wind shook the boat. The disciples froze with a look of fear as Peter shot up. Peter looked across the sea, studying the night air. Just as quickly as the wind burst across the sea, calm hovered over the surface of the water.

“It’s okay, my friends,” Peter reassured the other disciples, as he sat back down, closing his eyes once again. Just as the disciples began rowing again, a gust of wind nearly capsized the boat, as the calmness of the surface became a torrent of waves crashing into the boat.

Peter once again jumped from his slumber as he barked orders to the disciples. Water quickly filled the boat as they struggled to keep the boat from sinking. Shouts of fear filled the night air, as they struggled to stay alive.

“Keep rowing,” Peter shouted over the storm, before being thrown down by a gust of wind that nearly sank them. Peter continued shouting orders, though I doubt any of them could hear him over the storm that mercilessly beat against them.

From a distance, John saw a figure on the surface of the water. “What is that?” John shouted.

“Keep rowing,” Peter howled over the cacophony that surrounded them. “Row with all your might.”

In the midst of the storm, a soothing voice called out to them. “Do not fear. I am here. I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

John reached out as Jesus took his hand. Just as quickly and violently as the storm burst into their lives, calm filled the night air. The weary disciples looked up and saw the Face of Peace. “Do not fear when you face the storms of life,” Jesus calmly declared. “I am always with you, even in the midst of your storms. I will never leave you alone.”

When the disciples looked up, they were safely on the shore. They fell at Jesus’ feet and worshiped Him.

Jesus does the same for us today. When we are struggling in our lives, Jesus reminds us, “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The storms of life may seem to get the best of us at times, but, through the storm, Jesus cries out, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”