Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, and John 6:16-21
But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” (John 6:20) The Gospel writers in all three readings today quote Jesus with the exact same words. Another “divine echo” for us, in that we’ve got FEAR as the topic for our St. Andrew’s Sunday sermon series during Lent. Thus far we’ve had “worship and fear” and “faith and fear”. Today’s readings seem to be about the natural world – not about His healing ministry, not about His multiplying food or making wine, but about Him and His control over Earth’s natural elements, in this case, His authority over water together with the disciples’ inherent fear of the same. So while our sermon fears tend to focus on our “fear triad” of the economy, politics, and COVID, the natural world item in this threesome is COVID. But I’m not sensing much fear at St. Andrew’s over COVID. I think that from the beginning we’ve stayed on top of the pandemic, following CDC and Kentucky guidelines and restrictions – masking. ZOOM’ing, videotaping, and limiting attendance. And to this date I have not heard of anyone at St. Andrew’s who has even tested positive for COVID. We’ve had some emotional and financial hardships, but we’ve persevered, even through our Rector’s sabbatical and resignation. So if today’s reading and our sermon series are both about fear, Jesus’ words quoted above stand out: “It is I; do not be afraid.” I am SO looking forward to us all getting back together again!!
See also: May 19 / Matt. 14:22-33; May 20 / Mark 6:45-52; May 21 / John 6:16-21
I love it that Jesus immediately addresses the disciples and their fears. I think that too often I have seen the tendency of Christian ministers to scare people into the Kingdom. Really?!? Bethany T. pointed out in her writing about the Alagwa people that their own religion keeps them in bondage through fear. It is a terrible thing! How wonderful it would be if they, and we, could embrace the idea that God loves, unconditionally!