His Seat on the Boat
And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. John 6: 18–21
In this particular reading, Jesus had just finished feeding the 5,000. This is John chapter 6, so we can assume that at this point, the disciples already knew their master well. In the book of John we also learn that He had already revealed Himself as the Christ to the samaritan woman at the well. There is enough reason here to believe the disciples would recognize Him at first from now on. Yet they didn't, and when they saw Him on the water they were afraid.
The truth of it is that when Jesus sends us on the boat towards what he asked of us, that boat is our faith. Faith that comes from hearing His instruction (Romans 10). This is the same faith that patienty takes us along a long and lonely path at times. When Jesus arrives on the waves, like the disciples, sometimes we are already far from shore. It seems improbable to us that it would be Him, but it is and when He arrives all fear ceases, and immediately He leads us to our destination.
Perhaps you are on that boat, like me, sailing in the faith that He was the one who sent you out in that direction. If you are afraid, remember that this is a great sign that God is actually working. Fear is only coming to try and cover God’s love for you in the journey. This truth empowers you today, it gives you a voice to look fear in the eyes and say: There is no place for you on this boat. This seat is reserved, only for Jesus!
