For they all saw Jesus coming towards them and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said: “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.”
Gospel of Mark
Some time ago, I did a computer search on the New Testament for the word "fear". The word came up sixty-six times. About half of the references spoke of fear in a positive way. For example, a person who is God-fearing, often translated as reverence or awe of God. The other half made reference to "fear" in the manner we normally understand it - to be timid, shrinking, nervous, anxious or uneasy.
Many references can be found in the letters of John to "fear" in this latter sense. "In love there can be no fear, but fear is driven out by perfect love." Also, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is saying: "Courage! It is I. Do not be afraid" as He walked towards the disciples in the boat on Lake Gennesaret being tossed about by the storm. First, let us explore "fear in this context.
Everyone experiences fear. It is a human emotion which is normal to everyday life. Different people experience fear of different things or situations and with varying intensities. Much of this is associated with the fear of loss - loss of health, loss of property, loss of reputation, loss of approval. Ninety-five percent of people have some fear associated with speaking in front of a group of people, which is more to do with the fear of making a fool of oneself.
As an emotion, fear is neither good or bad. Sometimes it's just there, and for the most part, it is not a pleasant emotion. Fear comes to us as a messenger that there is something wrong, and to exercise caution.
Unfortunately, for most of us, fear often sends its message even when there is nothing wrong or a need to exercise caution. In these instances, fear prevents us from doing the appropriate thing at the appropriate time. We become overwhelmed by fear, and it prevents us from responding in an appropriate manner. Fear can prevent us from being God's instruments to others and to ourselves.
The greatest miracle we find in the Gospel of Mark as Jesus is walking towards His disciples on the water and calming the winds are not these particular actions. The greatest miracle is Jesus enabling his disciples, who are overwhelmed and confused by the storm, to overcome their fear of loss, and become instruments of God's love for the world. In fact, I would personally consider the actions of walking on the water and calming the winds symbolic expressions leading to the subsequent greater miracle. The overcoming of their fear happened to them as it happens to us. And it happens when they put their faith and trust in the infinite power of God's grace and love.
"Courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." These words, when they become an experienced reality in our lives, call us out of ourselves, away from our fears and our illusions of loss, away from our protective boundaries and our need for control, and places us at the doorstep of the One who is so much greater than ourselves. We are then free to respond to the situation in a manner that comes from God, and not from our fear. "Father, if possible let this cup pass me by, but your will, not mine be done." Or as we read in the letter of John: "In love there can be no fear, but fear is driven out by perfect love.
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