I Am Here
This is an audio recording of I Am Here the Day 23 entry in Today for Seafarers (Vol. 1) devotional by Jason Zuidema.
Listen to the audio by Sheila Margerrison or read the text below:
“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. . . .”
A few years ago my brother, a scuba-diving instructor, taught me the art of scuba-diving. I’ll never forget the feeling of excitement the first time I went with him under the water. Everything, even simple soda bottles, became amazing treasures to discover.
But I also experienced a sense of fear. I learned very quickly that I was totally dependent on my equipment to breathe. One time my breathing apparatus fell out of my mouth, and I’ll never forget the feeling of sheer panic I had. Thankfully my brother was there to help me find it quickly. After I had the equipment back in my mouth, I was still quite shaken. My brother turned me toward himself and looked me straight in the eyes. He did not have to say anything, but his look gave me a clear message: “I am here; you do not have to worry.”
Many texts in Scripture have a similar message. Jesus was up on a mountain and could see the disciples from where he was praying. He saw them working very hard to row their boat in rough water—they must have been rowing for a long time and getting nowhere. Jesus had pity on them and came to help them. He walked out on the water to rescue them.
The disciples saw Jesus but did not know who it was. They thought they saw a ghost and were terrified. “Take courage!” he said to them; “I am here.”
We must trust Jesus Christ so that our hard hearts can be softened and our weak faith can be strengthened. The message of Christ’s power and comfort has now reached you also.
For Further Thought
When you are scared, why is it important to trust Jesus?
Jesus’ greatest work was his death for our sake and his rising from the dead to give us new life. Do you understand this amazing miracle?
How might you explain to others that Jesus came to rescue you?
Prayer
Holy Spirit, give us soft hearts and a strong faith. Help us to trust you, even when it is difficult to believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
