Today is January 11th.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit."

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 6.


When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles,[b]they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

The disciples were terrified. Apart from being caught a storm in a boat in the middle of the night, the sea was a frightening place. For people in those days, creatures living in these waters sometimes took on a mythical proportions, representing chaos and danger that only a powerful deity could control. What do you think it would have felt like to be in that boat, with the disciples, in the middle of a storm?

As he walks on the water, Jesus calls out, “It is I”. He isn’t just saying “Hey, it’s me.” He literally says, in Greek, “Ego eimi”… “I Am,” the same words that Yahweh used to identify himself to Moses when he said, “Tell Pharoah, ‘I Am’ sent you to let my people go.” Jesus is demonstrating that he is Yahweh, the divine one who has power over creation, over all of the chaos of this world. As you hear the passage again, think about a storm that you are currently experiencing in your life, and invite Jesus to walk toward you in the midst of it.

As you go through your day today, become aware of the storms that people around you are facing. As you become aware, pray that Jesus will be with them in the midst of the storms that they are facing.

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music: Be Still - Vineyard Worship - YouTube