Do Not Be Afraid

 (Note: two slices today since our landscapers arrived at the critical posting time yesterday.)

Jesus Walks on the Water 

Matthew 14: 22-36

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

³⁴ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him ³⁶ and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

We could meditate on this Gospel Passage daily, and never tire of it..Each day brings its winds and waves and no matter how many times Jesus tells us not be be afraid, the fear persists...so many "what if's" or "what might happen"  (always in our mind, not in reality).  We are our own worst enemy but Jesus is our most patient savior and never refuses our call for help or ignores our fears.  What would our lives be like when we learn that Jesus will not let us perish, no matter how bad things look? 

Recently a team of landscapers and gardeners literally tore up the flower garden I had tended for 15 years...beauty reduced to desolation and dust, but today the new plants are filling up the ugly gaps. What a marvelous transformation...beyond my wildest imagination...So it is with God the Gardener.  Let's cast aside our fears and give him a chance to do what he knows is best!

Bro. Rene.