"It Is I. Do Not Be Afraid."

"But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, 'Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.’"
Mark 6:50 

Three words. "It is I." Simple on the surface. Absolutely explosive in meaning. 

When Jesus said "It is I" to the disciples on the water, He was not just identifying Himself.  

In the Greek, the phrase is ego eimi, the same words God used when Moses asked His name at the burning bush: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14).  

Jesus was not saying, "Relax, it's just me." He was saying, "I AM is here."  

The great God of the universe, who parted the Red Sea and sustained Israel in the desert, was standing on the water telling His disciples there was nothing to fear. 

Fear loses its grip when you understand who is with you. The disciples were afraid because they did not yet fully grasp that Jesus is God.  

When that truth takes root in your heart, the storms do not disappear, but your response to them changes completely. 

Fear grows in the dark. But the moment someone turns on a light, it shrinks.  

The voice of Jesus is that light.  

He spoke first. He always does.  

And His first word to frightened people is always courage. 

Memorize Mark 6:50 this week. When anxiety creeps in, speak it out loud.  

Let the words of Jesus interrupt your fear before your fear interrupts your faith.

Prayer:

Jesus, You are the great I AM. Where fear has taken root in my heart, replace it with the truth of who You are. I choose to take courage in Your name. Amen.