After another cold week, the forecasters are promising hopes of a warmer weekend.  We could use a "January thaw" even it comes at the end of February.  I trust you had the opportunity of viewing the lunar eclipse last Wednesday evening.  I watched it develop as I drove home from a class.  What a beautiful sight!  Magnificent colors!  Another indication of the mighty God we serve. 

I invite you to read the blog I wrote this past week on the situation in Israel, particularly as it concerns discussion of the division of Jerusalem.  You can either link to the blog through our website: www.vsb.net, or go there directly: www.villageschoolstoday.blogspot.com.  I will try to keep you posted on what is happening with a special blog every few weeks.

Now, let's turn back to John 6:16-21, for a discussion of another miracle of Jesus.  This time it is His walking on the water.  This is a miracle that is paralleled in Matthew 14:22-23 (Matthew's focus is of Peter's climbing out of the boat and walking to Jesus) and in Mark 6:47-51.  Jesus had just finished feeding nearly 20,000 people using five little loaves of barley bread and two small fish.  So excited were the people that they wanted to make Jesus their king.  I believe they thought that He would supply them with free meals like this all the time.  Besides, the people were growing restless with Roman rule.  Perhaps Jesus might just be the next Judas Maccabeus to bring them deliverance.  But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, withdrew upon the mountainside to pray. 

As evening approached, the disciples got into their boat and began the journey across the Sea of Galilee...destination was Capernaum, the adopted hometown of Jesus and the major city along the western shores of the Sea.  (Note: all that remains of Capernaum today are ruins and an ugly church built over the ruins of Peter's home).  From John's account, it would seem that Jesus had instructed His disciples to wait for Him, but at the appointed hour, when He had not arrived, they left without Him.  They had rowed about three or four miles when, suddenly the winds increased and the waves became violent.  Now storms are not unusual on the Sea of Galilee.  Its topography makes it a great setting for sudden storms.  It was all the disciples could do to keep the boat upright.  Even experienced fishermen can know fear...fear of losing a boat...fear of losing a life.  Mark tells us (Mark 6:48) that Jesus saw them straining at the oars.  Jesus was watching over them.  Jesus is never too busy so as to take His eye off us.  Remember those words of that hymn made famous by Ethel Waters: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

Suddenly, as the lightning lit up the storm-darkened skies, one of the disciples say a figure out upon the waters.  Then they all saw it.  In their fears they assumed that this was a ghost (Matthew 14:26).  And they cried out with fears intensified.  Then they heard the voice of Jesus crying out to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." (John 6:20).  Jesus did not need to identify Himself...they recognized His voice.  And that voice brought them comfort and hope in the midst of the storm.  Today, that same voice of the Lord Jesus still commands us to "fear not."  No matter the tempest...Jesus is with us.  No matter the trials that come...Jesus is with us.  No matter how abandoned we might feel...Jesus is with us.  So, friends, there is no reason to fear.  I am reminded of God's promise to Joshua (Joshua 1:9) and to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:18-19).  I am reminded of that wonderful promise the Apostle Paul shares with us in Romans 8:35-39.  Nothing can separate us from His love.  So, He is with us.  And when Jesus got into the boat, John tells us they immediately arrived at their destination.  Matthew tells us that the storm abated. 

When we know Jesus is with us, the longest journey become shorter; the hardest battle becomes easier.  Is your life full of turbulence today?  Are the storms around you filling your hearts with fear?  Friends, Jesus still utters those words of encouragement and hope today - "It is I, do not be afraid."  Trust Him to calm the storms of your life.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Let God's promises shine on your problems.  (Corrie Ten Boom)