“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid’” (Matthew 14:27).
IT IS I—DON’T BE AFRAID
Jesus had told the disciples to get into a boat and cross to the other side of the lake. The disciples obeyed Jesus but bad weather hindered their progress. The disciples were buffeted about and far away from land, and they were fighting the wind and heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
Three New Testament Gospels mention this story, so we see that the writers Matthew, Mark and John want us to know about it.
The disciples must have wondered if it was a mistake to get into the boat in the late afternoon, especially with the weather turning against their progress.
The disciples were apprehensive, anxious, and when they saw a figure coming towards them on the water, they were terrified.
Jesus was quick to calm them down saying “It is I”.
This is an important lesson for us all, for as we move closer to the coming of the Lord, we see all sorts of heavy weather, trouble and turmoil but let’s remember that Jesus said, “See, I have told you ahead of time” (Matt 24:25).
The disciples must have thought that their circumstances were out of control, yet it was Christ’s plan, he wanted to show the disciples something for as Job said, “He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea” (Job 9:8).
The Lord is in control, and showing us something of his power. He has given us many prophecies in his Word that speak of the times before Christ’s second advent, so we should not be distraught, rather we understand that it is Christ who opens the seals and lets the turmoil loose on the earth. In other words when we see these things the Lord is saying to us, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid”.
Yes, it is the great I Am: “If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’” (Job 9:12).
If God allows devastation onto the earth, it is done that we may repent and turn to him. The phrase "but still they did not repent of their ways" is a recurring theme in the Bible, notably in Revelation 9:20, Revelation 16:11, and Isaiah 9:13. It describes people who, despite experiencing or witnessing divine judgment and hardship, refuse to turn from their sinful practices like idolatry, murder, and sexual immorality, continuing instead to worship false gods and cling to their evil ways.
So when we see these events let’s remember that “It is I” – “For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality” (Rev 16:5).
Yes, God’s judgements are just and true; it is he who is the one who executes judgment: “Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me’” (Matt 28:18).
So we are not to be afraid, but to take courage and remember that “It is I”.