Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.

Jesus’ walking on water is relatively familiar to us but the details in John’s Gospel bear some reflection. For the first time, it is not the story that gripped me, but the promise in the last verse.

The disciples seem to have been expecting Jesus as “Jesus has not yet come to them” but they had set out without him as it had become dark. They were heading towards Capernaum across the lake when they encountered a storm. Terrifying enough. Then, in the middle of the storm they see Jesus walking towards them on the water. More terrifying. Jesus offers comfort: “It is I, do not be afraid.” The storm calms.

Jesus reveals himself in a number of ways: he demonstrates his power over nature in calming the storm and if this is not sufficient evidence of his divinity, he identifies himself using the divine name of God “It is I”.

Jesus is their safe harbour. He calms the waters. He calms them. He brings them to their destination “immediately”. It is not clear if Jesus boards the boat, but what struck me was “immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.”

How often do we set ourselves upon a stormy path or are beset by wind and fury in our daily struggles? We may even reflect here on the current geo-political crisis. There is uncertainty. Turmoil. Fear. World leaders appear to offer no solutions. Jesus is our safe passage. He will give us peace and lead us home. It is his promise, if we place our trust in him.

When have you experienced Jesus calming your storm?