December 2, 2005

Dear family of WCPC:

This afternoon I read John 6:16–24. I had neglected time with God’s Word, so I just opened my Bible to the gospels, and this is the passage that caught my attention.  After Jesus had fed the five thousand the disciples set off across the Sea of Galilee .  But they don’t take Jesus along. Now maybe they assumed He had another means of transportation. Maybe they thought someone else would row Him to the other side, but for whatever reason, they left Him and started rowing. The point is, they left without Jesus in the boat.

The weather changed. John writes, “A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.”  (John 6:18a)

It always does, doesn’t it, sooner or later, when we don’t invite Jesus to be part of the journey. Even if Jesus is onboard, there’s still no guarantee there will be smooth sailing. But without Him onboard, watch out.

Then the disciples see Jesus, walking on the water and He says, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”  (John 6:20)

As I read that passage today it spoke to my heart. Jesus was telling me, “It doesn’t matter whether you left me behind or not, whether you invited me into the boat or not, whether I’m on your guest list for the journey or not, I’m coming along. It is I; don’t be afraid.”  

Where are you headed right now? Did you invite Jesus to come along? Here the good news. It really doesn’t matter whether you did or didn’t, He won’t be left behind. He longs to get inside the boat with you. He longs to let you know that even if the waves are pretty tough right now, it’s going to be ok. What I find interesting about this passage is that as soon as they pull Jesus into the boat, the passage reads, “immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.” (John 6:21b)

Now maybe they reached the shore at that moment in time or maybe it took longer, but it no longer seemed like such a difficult crossing. Jesus was onboard. 

What are you’re facing right now? Maybe the waves are getting pretty tough, pretty rough. Jesus wants to be with you in the midst of it. Maybe He will calm the waves.  Maybe instead He will use the waves to teach you a life lesson. Or maybe your faithfulness in the middle of the storm will be a witness to another. I don’t know. But I do know that with Jesus onboard, there is no reason for fear.

For one terrified traveler (on occasion) to maybe another,

David Jones