Take Courage
Life's storms often feel overwhelming, like turbulent waves threatening to consume us. In today’s dramatic passage, Jesus walks on water, challenging His disciples' understanding of impossibility and revealing profound spiritual truths about faith and fear.
Let’s take a moment to read Mark 6:45-56:
Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.
Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
REFLECT
Picture the scene: exhausted disciples rowing against fierce winds, muscles straining, spirits depleting. They've just witnessed the miraculous feeding of five thousand, yet find themselves battling natural forces that seem insurmountable. The darkness surrounds them, the wind opposes them, and fatigue clouds their perspective. Then, in the most unexpected moment, Jesus appears—walking on the very waves that terrify them.
Their initial reaction is pure human terror. Supernatural intervention often looks like a threat before it reveals itself as a rescue. The disciples' fear represents our universal struggle: confronting the unknown and wrestling with circumstances that defy logical explanation. Jesus' immediate response cuts through their panic: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
These words carry transformative power. They're not just a calming statement but a profound theological declaration. "It is I" echoes the divine name revealed to Moses—a reminder that the Creator stands present in our most challenging moments. Jesus doesn't eliminate the storm; He enters it, demonstrating His sovereign control.
Peter's response becomes a powerful metaphor for faith. Unlike the other disciples who remain in the boat, he wants to participate in the miracle. "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come," he declares—representing extraordinary spiritual vulnerability. Walking on water wasn't about perfect performance but maintaining focus amid chaos.
The moment Peter looks away, he begins to sink—a profound spiritual illustration. When we fix our eyes on challenges instead of Christ, we lose our supernatural ability to rise above circumstances. Faith isn't about never experiencing doubt; it's about knowing where to redirect our attention when doubt emerges.
This passage speaks directly to life's turbulent seasons. We've all experienced moments of feeling overwhelmed, battling unseen forces, and wondering if we'll survive. The disciples' journey from terror to worship reveals a critical spiritual progression: supernatural encounters transform fear into reverence.
Jesus doesn't just calm external storms; He addresses internal ones. He invites us to trust beyond our understanding and to believe in possibilities that transcend human limitations. The miracle isn't just about walking on water but about recognizing divine presence in our most challenging moments.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
What "storms" are currently challenging you? Are you focusing more on your circumstances or Jesus?
Where might God be inviting you to step out in faith?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Faithful God, amid our life's turbulent waters, remind us of Your constant presence. When fear threatens to overwhelm us, help us fix our eyes on You. Grant us the courage to step out, believing that Your power transcends our human limitations. Transform our perspective from panic to peaceful trust. Amen.