“Jesus walked on the sea, came near the boat, and the disciples were frightened. But he said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. It’s me.’” (Jn.6:19-20).
“While they were still talking … Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” (Lk.24:36).
“Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me”—Saul of Tarsus, and I became Paul the Apostle. (1Cor.15:8).
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt.28:20)
Lord Jesus, not just on the night of your birth, the morning you walked out of the tomb, or the moment we were born from above… but every day in every place in a multitude of ways, you continue “to appear”—to make your presence, power, and love known. You show up in daily mercies with fresh grace in the shape of our needs. Hallelujah, and thank you.
Whether it’s “out of the blue” or from within dark clouds, in the pages of Scripture or from the “pages” of creation, through the encouragement of friends or the work of unseen angels… you are always near, and we are always dear to you. Sometimes with a whisper, bang, or a song—but you never stop pursuing, shepherding, and caring for us. In a variety of ways, you continue to speak these words to us: “Don’t be afraid. It’s me.”
Jesus, I’m thinking of some particular friends with particular needs this morning who’d benefit from one of your “walking on water” appearances. Storms within and storms without, please show them—show all of us, that every storm still knows your name. Hush the hurricane, turn the gale force winds into gentle zephyrs of grace. And show each of us how we might be the means of your grace today in our friends’ hardships and heartaches. So Very Amen.
