Do Not Be Afraid

It is dark. Jesus' disciples are several kilometres from shore. A strong wind has turned the sea rough—and then they see someone approaching them across the water.

Their first response is fear.

1. Connect

Why do situations feel especially frightening when we cannot control what is happening?

2. Read

Read together.

Notice the setting, the disciples' reaction, and Jesus' words.

(NET2)

¹⁶ Now when evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷ got into a boat, and started to cross the lake to Capernaum. (It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.) ¹⁸ By now a strong wind was blowing and the sea was getting rough. ¹⁹ Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they caught sight of Jesus walking on the lake, approaching the boat, and they were frightened. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” ²¹ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat came to the land where they had been heading.

What caught your attention?

3. Explore

Look back at the passage as you discuss these questions.

What details make the situation threatening for the disciples?
What do they see that causes them to become even more afraid?
What does Jesus say to them?
What happens after they are willing to receive him into the boat?
What questions does this event naturally raise about Jesus?

4. Consider

Jesus approaches frightened disciples across a stormy sea and says:

“It is I. Do not be afraid.”

What would you have thought if you had been in the boat?
What does this sign suggest about Jesus' authority over the natural world?
Why might John's readers see more than simply an impressive miracle here?
What do you find most difficult or remarkable about this account?

5. Respond

The disciples cannot control the sea, but the person approaching them apparently can.

If Jesus really possesses the kind of authority John describes, how might that change the way someone responds to him?

What does this sign reveal about Jesus?

Explore More

Read and notice how people react when Jesus begins explaining who he is.

Next Conversation: Once I Was Blind — Giving Sight to the Man Born Blind.