We are still in Chapter 6 of the book of John. We join the narrative at Verse 16. When evening came the disciples decided to head back to home base, so they got in a boat headed for Capernaum. The wind came up, not unusual on the Sea, but unwelcome, as it made the sea rough and the rowing challenging. They were 3 or 4 miles into the journey, according to the text, when Jesus appeared to them walking on the water. They were frightened! But Jesus said, "It is I; don't be afraid."
The Bible accounts come to life in a new way once you've been to Israel and have the terrain and logistics of the trip clearly in mind. I have had the joy of going to Israel 2 times. I have been on a boat on Lake Galilee, experienced a little storm on our journey to Tiberias that day, and thus experiencing how quickly storms can come up and whip the surface of the sea into whitecaps. I've been to Capernaum (Capharnum is the sign we saw) and the words of the Bible come alive with all of that in my visual imagery.
We need to hear those words just as clearly in our most challenging moments: "It is I. Don't be afraid."
Lord, thank you for being with us, no matter what comes.
Postscript: One more tidbit about being in Israel: Being present there, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt (because it resonated to my core) that Jerusalem was the absolute center of the world. I know that Satan fights against Israel because of that. Not only is it the center of the world, it is the center of God's heart, where he placed his Name!
I also know with equal certainty that the Lord honors those who honor Israel. If America or any other nation goes against Israel, they are going against God, and he will punish those who do.
No comments:
Post a Comment