Do Not Be Afraid: I Am Here

Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
John 6:16–21

The scene in this Gospel is so human it almost feels familiar: the disciples are rowing in the dark, the wind is picking up, and the waters are getting rough. They are doing their best, but the situation is bigger than their strength. It’s the kind of moment we all know—when we feel like we’re straining against forces we can’t control.

Then Jesus comes toward them, walking on the water. And before he calms the storm, before he gets into the boat, before anything changes around them, he speaks the words they most need to hear: “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

Notice what Jesus does not say. He doesn’t say, “You shouldn’t feel scared,” or “You should have more faith,” or “Why didn’t you handle this better?” Jesus simply offers his presence.

This is the heart of the passage: Jesus meets us in the middle of the storm, not after it passes. He steps into the chaos, into the fear, into the uncertainty—and his presence brings peace even before the waves settle.

When the disciples welcome Jesus into the boat, they suddenly find themselves at the shore. It’s as if the moment they allow Jesus into their struggle, they discover they’re closer to safety than they realized.

In our own lives, storms come in many forms—worry, illness, conflict, grief, exhaustion, or the quiet anxieties we carry alone. This Gospel reminds us that Jesus is not distant from these moments. He comes toward us, steady and unafraid, offering the same reassurance: “I am here. You are not alone.”

Sometimes the greatest miracle is not the calming of the sea, but the calming of our hearts.

You are invited to reflect today about where in your life do you feel like you are “rowing against the wind,” and how might Jesus be approaching you there? What would it look like for you to welcome Jesus more fully into the “boat” of your daily struggles?

Generous Lord,
Lord Jesus,
meet me in the places where I feel overwhelmed or afraid.
Speak your peace into my heart and help me trust
that you are with me in every storm.
Strengthen my faith, calm my spirit, and guide me
safely toward the shore of your love.
Amen.

This reflection was prepared with the assistance of CoPilot.