The Words that Casts Out All Fear
“But he said to them,
‘It is I. Do not be afraid.’”
John 6:20
After a long day, the disciples went ahead of Jesus, sailing to Capernaum. The winds were blowing, and the skies were dark. After sailing out a good distance, they saw Jesus walking on water and they began to fear and grow afraid. At this Jesus said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid."
When I read and listen to this Gospel passage I am always reminded of times when parents or nurses trying to distract the child as pediatricians are trying to administer vaccinations. The child is scared and anxious, afraid of the pain that the needle will induce while being confused as to who these people are. But the parent or the kind stranger offers comfort, a smile, or a funny story or joke. Sometimes even a tasty treat. All while the pediatrician pinches the child with the needle, injecting a solution that can potentially prevent the child from danger. When all is done sometimes the child doesn't even remember a shot was administered and sometimes he does and tears flow from their eyes, but is comforted by a lollipop or cool treat. This, I feel is what Jesus did with the disciples.
The disciples were sailing out on the sea when winds were picking up and not a single source of light available to guide the way. We can imagine a bit of healthy stress and fear building up. And when Jesus saw this, He appeared to them in a miraculous, awesome way — walking on water! This perhaps distracted the disciples from worrying about the winds and the darkness. But some may say maybe it was Jesus walking on water that induced fear. Either way, once they saw that it was Jesus, their fears were cast out because before they knew it, "the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading" (Jn. 6:21). Just like the child with the vaccination, the disciples' attention was drawn to someone familiar, someone they knew, and someone who they knew would protect them. And so, the wind did not seem to blow that strong or the night that dark anymore, for Jesus was their guide and light.
When we are faced with fears and anxieties, let us remember and believe that Jesus comes to us and walks with us and says to us, "It is I. Do not be afraid." Let us keep out eyes fixed on Jesus, who is our Light and our Peace. Allow the peace that Jesus brings to cast out any fears that reside in your heart and let Him fill it with peace and joy. Let us also trust that just as the painful vaccination has the potential to save someone, so too the storms of our lives that bring us fear and anxiety can teach us great lessons. Whatever it may be, not matter how big or small, Jesus can handle it. Tell Him about it and ask Him to walk with you. Because when Jesus walks with us, the troubled times will be less troubling and before we know it we will have arrived at shore, on solid ground. "It is I. Do not be afraid."
