David Bahn – Reflections

John 6:16-21

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, ¹⁷ got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. ¹⁸ The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. ¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. ²⁰  But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” ²¹ Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

I was riding my bike and listening to a podcast about Christian discipleship. Suddenly a deep, gravely voice sounded through my earbuds: “I like it!” It startled me and scared me greatly. My first thought – sad to say – was that someone had figured out a way to get into my iPhone and speak those words. My second thought was that Satan was seeking to undermine what I was listening to. My third thought was that somehow the “I like it!” voice-over was an artifact that had been accidentally added to the podcast. But I was genuinely scared. Something had happened that I did not understand.

So when the disciples see Jesus walking on the water I understand their fear. Something here did not add up. Something was happening that they needed to explain and none of their explanations solved the mystery. The reason for fear is that the mystery put them in a place of potential grave danger. They didn’t know what might happen. Something was happening there that they did not understand. What power might be behind it? What was the intent of this one who was approaching them walking on the water? They were completely vulnerable; they had no assurance of being able to have charge of their own lives.

Jesus soon announces himself, encouraging them not to be afraid. He brings the most gracious lordship. In fact it is in the realm of his rule that we are most safe. It is under his reign that we are best able to exercise our proper dominion over all the earth (cf. Genesis 1:28). With his presence the proper kind of fear is rightly embraced.

Fear is about our control over our circumstances and self; the safety and wellbeing of ourselves and those we love. We are never more safe than when in the freedom and presence of Christ.

By the way, I learned that my bike riding scary voice was a function of Runtastic – an iPhone app. Since I had turned on “Allow Cheering” in one of the settings, whenever a Facebook friend “liked” my activity the app would announce, “I like it!” I’ve since turned off that feature!