They Were Afraid

The Bible says, There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. . . . (I Jn. 4:18b NKJV)

Such love cannot be natural. We love, but not to the depth of becoming perfect. We love, but not to the point of no longer fearing. Jesus is the only man who ever walked in perfect love.

However, people who follow Jesus can draw from His love when they experience His intervention. One night the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee without Him when they encountered a fierce storm. After expending themselves to the point of exhaustion while rowing several miles in the dark, they saw Jesus in the distance. He was walking on water as He moved toward them, and they were afraid. (Jn. 6:19)

Jesus understood their fear and He let them know who He was as He continued to draw closer and closer. “It is I,” he said; “do not be afraid.” (v. 20) Evenwhile walking on the water’s surface, He broke the power of their fear. Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. (v. 21)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. (II Tim. 1:7)

Originally published September 15, 1989.