THE MOST COMMON ONE-LINER IN THE BIBLE IS: "DO NOT BE AFRAID
Someone counted, and it occurs 365 times - Richard Rohr
One of my favourite passages of scripture is Matthew’s account of Jesus Walking on the Water.
Initially readers are drawn to the image of Jesus walking to the disciples, perhaps effortlessly, on top of the water, as the disciples struggle in their small boat that is being battered by the wind and waves. Not only are the disciples afraid of the treacherous conditions, but they are also terrified at the sight of a person walking towards them on the sea!
Matthew’s account speaks of courage. It calls for the type of courage that Peter shows when he steps out of the boat. Jesus also asks each one of us to step out of the boat into the unknown and at times to be uncomfortable. It is only when Peter takes his focus away from Jesus and notices the distractions around him that he sinks. Just as Jesus immediately saves Peter, we too can find reassurance that Jesus accompanies us through the times that we fall.
Jesus Walks on the Water Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!”
And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.”
So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it. So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever, in Never Never Land!” – Peter Pan
