John 6:16-21
When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 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.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
I wonder what Jesus was thinking as he walked that three or four miles to the boat. I wonder if he sort of chuckled, knowing that the disciples were about to have a major freak-out session. (Not that I blame them; I'd probably do the same if I had been in their shoes.) In Matthew we learn that they thought it was a ghost coming toward them. Here they were, thinking that they were about to have a ghost story to tell their children about, and then, instead, they hear those sweet words: "It is I. Don't be afraid." How many times does that happen to us? We expect something bad - even deserve something bad - and God gives us something good instead. And something I had never noticed was that last sentence... THEN they were willing to take him into the boat. And when they did, good things happened... immediately they got where they were going.
Good things happen when we let Jesus into our boat.
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