Three Short Powerful Statements

Jesus disciples were in trouble. They were told to feed over 5000 people and all they had were a few loaves of bread and a few fish. Jesus blessed what they had and his disciples watched the loaves and fish supernaturally multiply right before their eyes. It was amazing! Everybody ate. And they had twelve baskets of food left over, one basket for each disciple!

Then Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. But it wasn’t long until the disciples were in trouble again, far from land. A strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.

About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! ” (Matthew 14:27)

Within hours they had forgotten the miracle of feeding the 5000 when Jesus had thanked his Heavenly Father and the loaves and fish multiplied. They again focused on their circumstances rather than on thanking and blessing God for who He is, for what they have seen him do in the past, and for what He was about to do.

Jesus had to remind his disciples again in three short powerful statements. And he is reminding you and me today with these same words, regardless of what we are facing at the moment. He is saying to each of us: “Don’t be afraid, Take courage. I am here! ”