Listen

When evening came, Jesus’ disciples went down to the lake. They got into a boat and were crossing the lake to Capernaum. It was already getting dark and Jesus hadn’t come to them yet. The water was getting rough because a strong wind was blowing. When the wind had driven them out for about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the water. He was approaching the boat and they were afraid. He said to them, “I Am. Don’t be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and just then the boat reached the land where they had been heading.

John 6:16-21

Think

One thing follows another, just as evening follows day. It was time to leave the party, and the disciples were having trouble waiting for Jesus, the straggler. They were warming up the boat, waiting.

When that storm hits and those disciples are tossing in the wind, they are struck with mortal terror. Their lives are facing early punctuation. What do you think is going through their heads?

Of course there’s fear, maybe some sadness about the things they will miss. Maybe regret for things done or not done.

Like most people in trouble, they were almost certainly looking for someone to blame. Who do you think the disciples were blaming? God, for sending the storm? Whichever disciple said they should get into the boat? Jesus, for holding up their trip?

Whatever was going through their heads, Jesus stands above the waters, above the winds and waves of fear and blame. He says “I Am.” More than a deep existential fortune cookie, Jesus is showing his true identity: God, the Great I Am, the complete and ultimate being.

Chris Suehr

Pray

Hey God — it’s me! When I’m in trouble, help me to put blame aside. Things happen. But you are with me in the storm. Help me seek you through the whirlwind. Amen.

Go

“God, whose almighty word,
chaos and darkness heard,
and took their flight:
hear us, we humbly pray,
and where the gospel-day
sheds not its glorious ray,
let there be light!”

From “Thou, Whose Almighty Word,” 1813, by John Marriott