45Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. 49But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; 50for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” 51Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. 53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. (Mark 6:45-56, NRSV)
A ghost walking on the water is scary enough. But it really is what Jesus says on the water that should make us afraid.
The translation is, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” but the actual Greek text says, “Be confident, I am, do not fear.”
Jesus said I am. I am is the name of God God gave to Moses at the bush. Jesus just claimed to be God. If the ghost on the water isn’t enough now this guy we are following thinks he is God.
It is one of the most frightening and comforting statements in the Bible. Jesus knows who he is and he is trying to help them and us understand.
Trust and believe.
aSacredRebel 