When they (the disciples) had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” (John 6:19& 20)

Jesus prefaced his admonition to the disciples not to be afraid, with the simple statement, “It is I”. This is the entire reason they should not fear. Throughout the Old Testament , God tells His people not to be afraid: to Joshua, Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

Joseph said to his brothers, Don’t be afraid. . . You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. (Genesis 50:19) His brothers couldn’t believe that Joseph could have forgiven them for selling him into slavery when they were young. He didn’t say, “It is I, your own brother, so you don’t have to be afraid; but, rather, “God intended it for good.”

It’s not until Jesus speaks to his “brothers” in the boat that we can glimpse the intention of God in sending us a brother who is also His son. The disciples don’t have to be afraid because their brother, who they know to be from God, is with them: “It is I.”

I believe that the risen Christ still speaks these words to us in times of anxiety and fear. He knows that the simple assurance of his presence in a situation or difficulty will give us courage to endure and persevere: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?. . .No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, or anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35)

Joseph knew the truth of these words a thousand years before Paul wrote them. More than two thousand years later than Paul, we can experience these truths ourselves when faced with the uncertainties of our world ,we find God’s voice in the scriptures and we hear our brother say, “It is I”. Don’t be afraid!

Love in Him,

Prue