John 6:15-21 'Ἐγώ εἰμι, Do Not Be Afraid

According to John
Chapter 6, Verses 15-21
So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

COMMENTARY
Let me begin by asking your indulgence in the fact that this text was separated from the preceding paragraph for presentation purposes. The context of verses 1-14 flow directly to verses 15-21 without any grammatical context division. However, keep in my that John is not giving us an account that is purely chronological, which is evident as we move from verses 1-14 into the next paragraph beginning with verse 15. 15. So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone. As we pick up immediately from verse 14 in Chapter 6, Jesus is once again being hounded by those who would make this 'Prophet' a king. Jesus is clearly not taken anywhere by force. No position is never and will never be thrust upon Him. He will never be forced into a loving or compassionate act. This is an often forgotten subtle point of His incarnate position. He IS. Two words in this verse captivate my our attention: "perceiving,' and 'intending." The Greek word which is translated 'perceiving' is Nominative Singular Masculine Aorist Active Participle (hence the 'ing' English ending) from the root word: γινώσκω meaning: to come to know, recognize, perceive, allow, be aware of. The second word 'intending' (μέλλουσιν) is Third Person Plural Present Active Indicative from μέλλω meaning: to be destined or likely to, a strong probability in the present, to be about to. This does not communicate any premeditated gestures on the 'people's' part. The 'take Him' was a practical outcome of their actions and was about to happen. Jesus, once again, retreats to a mountain to escape to practical outcome of their actions. 16. Now (new paragraph) when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea (the Sea of Galilee). 17. and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It is helpful in this story to remember that the disciples were professional fishermen before they began to follow Jesus. The disciples getting in a boat to get to Capernaum was just as normal as us traveling by car, a '66 convertible Mustang, with the top down, from Mallard Head Country Club on Brawley School Road to South Iredell High School in Barium Springs, N. C. No big deal, this is part of my life and this is what I do. In fact, it might even be relaxing to spend some time on the water. I am not attempting to communicate this was just a Sunday afternoon pleasure cruise. They purposed to go to Capernaum, but the trip was not expected to be eventful. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. Darkness, no big deal. The disciples knew this before they set foot in the boat. Jesus not being among them, well, they were fisherman long before they knew Jesus. Therefore, no big deal. You keep driving with the top down on the Mustang and enjoy the star light sky. 18. The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Now, this was a normal occurring event added to our Sunday afternoon drive. We are now forced, to become a little less relaxed and to become engaged. The crew of the boat went from some handling the nautical tasks to all of them thinking about the interruptions of their pleasant routing voyage to Capernaum. It was still no big deal. The Sea of Galilee is known for producing sudden storms. The disciple's tactical adjustments are similar to us stopping to put the top up on the convertible, just like you've done hundreds of times before. 19. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, At this point we must abandon our Sunday afternoon drive comparison. The disciple's rowing is labor. Driving a convertible, even with the top up, is not. they saw Jesus walking on the sea Now, this is different! Jesus is not 'standing' as on a rock on near the shore. He is 'walking' on the 'stirred up' sea. and drawing near to the boat; And He is coming this way. He was not just passing by. But, He is coming at them. With each step it is becoming clearer to the disciples who this was and what He was doing. And they were relieved! NO! and they were frightened. These grown men, most of them professional fishermen, were afraid. Their pleasureful, somewhat inopportune voyage led them to be full of fear. They were not afraid of the storm. They were afraid of the sight of Jesus walking on the sea. Can you see the climax in the story? 20. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” One thing that stands out to me in Jesus' only words in this section, is that He declared His identity (ἐγὼ εἰμι) before He gave direction (μὴ φοβεῖσθε). This use of the ἐγὼ εἰμι name is one of the identity declarations Jesus makes of Himself that is welcomed by those in need and vehemently opposed by traditional religious unbelievers. 21So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. Did you notice how their fear transformed into willingness at the sound of His name? This story portrays a private time of Jesus with His disciples in which there is a major change in the disciples. They go from confident life as usual to fear to willingness. They were willing refers to them 'wishing,' 'wishing,' 'loving,' 'decreeing,' and 'ordaining.' They being willing to receive Him refers to their desire 'to take,' 'to take,' 'to receive,' 'to seize,' 'to grasp,' 'to take hold of,' 'to lay hold of,' or 'to get.' Wow, what a change in their perspective. Then, having been changed, they where at the place they were headed.

SUMMARY
This story told by the Apostle John, a professional fisherman, who was probably in the boat, gives us an incredible impact of Jesus on His disciples. The mere mention of His Name, ἐγὼ εἰμι, followed by an assurance command, escorts His disciples from outright fear to a willingness lay hold of Him.

Do you know Him? Are you one of His disciples? Do you find yourself in a familiar vocation, doing what you have always done or set of circumstances like the disciples? If so, then the sight of Him and a vision of His capability will scare you even then. Don't be surprised, rather count on Jesus' presence making you afraid to the point where only the sound of His voice and the hearing of His name calms you and removes your fear, producing a longing for His intimate presence by your side.


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