Afraid of the Dark

Can you remember ever being afraid of the dark?  As children and even as adults there is something about the darkness that causes us to imagine dangers that may be lurking where we cannot see them.  When darkness obscures our vision, the lamp becomes a monster, and the coat rack becomes a stranger just waiting to do us harm.  I remember tucking my own children in bed and them asking me to leave the night light on for them so they wouldn’t be afraid of the dark.

The disciples were rowing their way across the Sea of Galilee in the middle of the night.  A storm came up hindering their progress.  Those experienced fisherman became terrified when they saw something coming toward them on the sea.  They thought it was a ghost.  From out of the darkness of that storm-tossed sea a voice called out to them saying, “…Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid” (Matt. 14:27).  Their fears were relieved when they realized that it was Jesus who was coming toward them walking on the water.  As soon as Jesus arrived and climbed aboard the boat, the wind stopped blowing and the sea became calm.  The disciples then gathered around Jesus and worshiped Him and acknowledged Him as the Son of God.

We all get afraid of the dark.  It may be the darkness of uncertainty about our jobs, or the darkness of some sickness that is invading our body.  It may be the darkness of a troubled marriage or the fear of the future without your loved one.  I remember that Jesus sent his followers into the darkness without Him to face that storm.  He wanted them to exhaust all their human resources before He stepped in.  Finally, in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them.

Sometimes our Lord allows the storms and darkness to come into our own lives.  But in the fourth watch of the night, He will come to us and climb aboard.  With Jesus in our boat, we do not have to be afraid of the dark.