John 6:16-27

Be Still: Holy Spirit, our Advocate and the One who comes alongside - please read with me today as I open your Word. Amen

Read: John 6:16-27

When they 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.’ (vv19,20)

Encounter: Yesterday’s passage was the amazing miracle of the feeding of the 5000. I imagine that was a pretty exciting experience to be a part of - seemingly bottomless baskets of bread, everyone passing them round in this never-ending picnic. 

Straight after the buzz of a miracle, the disciples find themselves in a storm. Suddenly, the visible miracle of yesterday, feels like a long time ago -- here there is nothing to see except waves and dark stormy waters. What does Jesus do? He walks on the water to them. Why?  He could have plucked the disciples out of the boat, or split the lake in two, or something else wild and wacky -- he is God after all! But I think there’s a sweet significance to him walking on the water. He demonstrates he is in control. He shows his disciples that the very thing they feared -- the raging, roaring sea -- was something he could walk over! 

Jesus also wanted them to have a faith built not just on visible, cool miracles with bread, but on total trust in his presence and his words, even when all they could see was the storm. In The Message version, Jesus says to them, ‘It’s me, It’s all right. Don’t be afraid.’ Following Jesus isn’t easy, there will be storms and dark waters, but his voice and his presence with us makes all the difference.

Apply: Maybe you find yourself in a storm right now. Take a moment to speak the words of Jesus over yourself. He looks at you and says ‘It’s me, it’s all right. Don’t be afraid.’

Devote: Jesus, thank you that you meet me in the storm. I think of people I know in storms at this moment - please meet them with the wonder of your words and the peace and power of your presence.