“ And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid” (Matthew 14:29-30)
A miracle had occurred. At the Lord’s command, Peter had been able to walk on the water, which is contrary to the laws of nature. But while walking on the water, why was Peter afraid of the wind; because of its violence? Could Christ perform such a miracle only if the weather was calm?
On another occasion, the disciples were also frightened during a heavy storm, when the waves were crashing into their boat and “filling it up” (Mark 4:37). At their cries of distress, Jesus stopped the wind and calmed the sea. The joy of the disciples.
But if a boat is full of water, it sinks anyway, whether the sea is calm or stormy.
The miracle was not the Lord’s threat to the sea. The wonder is that Jesus’ boat had sailed for two thousand years, through fair weather and heavy storms, despite being filled to the brim with heresies, schisms, sins and crimes of all kinds. And it continues to sail, filled with water, even though, according to the laws of hydrodynamics, it should have sunk long ago.
You’ve been through many cruel difficulties in your life.
Whether you’re depressed or have encountered a difficult situation, it’s important to take a step back. We have every right to be sad and unwell, and it’s healthy to welcome and let go of our emotions. Yes, life is hard, and it never does anyone any favors. Sometimes, the blows are so violent that you’re left stunned, lying on the floor.
Life is sometimes so hard, so cruel, that it’s hard to want to go on, to trust, to see what comes next.
Don’t be afraid of more to come. It’s a miracle you’ve made it this far. The stone that closed Jesus’ tomb was rolled aside by an angel “and it was very large”. (Mark 16:4). Precisely because your burden has become heavier than ever, God may well send an angel to your rescue.
The exhortation “Do not fear” or “Do not be afraid” appears three hundred and sixty-six times in the Bible, one for each day of the year, even in leap years.
The question is, when and how do we trust Jesus, his word and everything we know about the gospel?
Yet he gave us a trustworthy promise. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and bowed down under a yoke, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30). If our Church continues to live today when it should have disappeared two thousand years ago, it is because it is led by God himself.
Of the three hundred and sixty-six times “Do not be afraid” in the Bible, there is one for today too. So, dear brothers, I say to you: “Do not be afraid”, Jesus is in the boat.