Don’t Be Afraid

Author

Wes Schaeffer
January 06, 2021

From today’s reading…

He could see that they were hard pressed in their rowing, for the wind was against them; and about the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the sea. He was going to pass them by, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke to them and said, ‘Courage! It’s me! Don’t be afraid.’” Mark 6:48-50

The 12 were not an exceptionally bright bunch.

They were superstitious and full of doubt and concerns despite having just seen Jesus feed 5,000 men with five loaves and two fish.

So Jesus comes to them during the fourth watch, when the evil spirits were believed to be returning home after a night out on the town—and just before the sun rises—and they were scared out of their minds.

But in much the same way we are relieved by a beautiful sunrise after a dark and stormy night, we should be relieved by the words of the risen Son, who came to show us how to be courageous and not afraid, which is the only way to…

Stay the course. Keep the faith. Endure.

Now go sell something.