Saturday, May 4, 2019
Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” John 6:19-20
This very familiar phrase was spoken once again: “Do not be afraid.”
The setting is significant. It is dark and the Apostles are out to sea. If you’ve ever been out in the middle of the sea when it’s dark out you’d know that this is a bit frightening. You cannot see the land and you feel as though you are surrounded by nothing. The Apostles would have been feeling a bit lost as if they were in the middle of nowhere.
But, in the midst of this experience, Jesus came walking to them and told them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” This would have been quite consoling to them.
We must see in this experience of the Apostles the daily experience so many have. Many can feel as if they are surrounded by nothing, alone and lost. Sure, this may not be an overwhelming feeling for some, but it is all too often an experience many do have to one degree or another.
Perikop Injil ini menyingkapkan kepada kita bahwa Yesus datang kepada kita, di mana pun kita berada dan apa pun keadaan yang sedang kita alami. Ia tidak menunggu kita datang dan mencari-Nya; sebaliknya, Ia masuk ke dalam hidup kita, tepat di tempat kita berada.
Pengalaman berada di tengah danau dalam kegelapan ini hadir dalam berbagai bentuk. Mungkin hidup Anda dipenuhi kesibukan, tetapi Anda tetap merasa sendirian. Mungkin tidak banyak orang di sekitar Anda, sehingga Anda terus-menerus merasa terasing. Atau mungkin Anda menampilkan wajah ceria dan memperlihatkan diri seolah-olah segala sesuatu dalam hidup Anda baik-baik saja, padahal di dalam hati Anda sedang bergumul hebat. Apa pun keadaan Anda, Yesus ingin datang kepada Anda dan menghibur Anda.
Renungkanlah hari ini kata-kata Yesus ini. Dengarkanlah Ia berkata kepada Anda, “Ini Aku.” Saat Anda mendengar-Nya mengucapkan kata-kata ini, berpalinglah kepada-Nya dan akuilah kehadiran-Nya. Biarkan Ia masuk ke tengah danau gelap yang mungkin Anda rasakan sedang mengelilingi Anda. Dengarkanlah Ia berkata, “Jangan takut.” Ada begitu banyak pengalaman dalam hidup yang dapat kita takuti. Begitu sering ketakutan itu dapat menguasai kita. Jika saja kita mau memusatkan perhatian pada Yesus, ketakutan akan keadaan sehari-hari di sekitar kita pun lenyap. Jauh di lubuk hati, kita menyadari bahwa Yesus sungguh hadir di sana dan bahwa semuanya baik-baik saja karena Ia peduli dan memegang kendali. Biarkan Ia masuk ke dalam perahu hati Anda dan biarkan Ia mengambil alih kendali. Ia sedang datang kepada Anda dan menantikan tanggapan Anda.
Lord, so often I fail to acknowledge Your divine presence in my life. So often I fail to see you coming to me. Help me to know that You are always there. Free me from the many fears of life, dear Lord, and give me courage to welcome You fully into my life. Jesus, I trust in You.
