“Be Of Good Cheer! It Is I, Do Not Be Afraid” Mark 6:50

“It Is I, Do Not Be Afraid” (Mark 6:45-52) Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." And he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. (RSV)

“It Is I, Do Not Be Afraid” (Mark 6:45-52) Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." And he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. (RSV)

“It Is I, Do Not Be Afraid” 1.Obeying Jesus Can Be Difficult! Heb. 5:8,9; 10:35-39; 2 Tim. 3:12; James 1:2-4 2.The Eye Of Christ Is On The Boat That Carries His Disciples! He saw it all – their difficulty, danger, and distress. Heb. 13:5,6 3.God’s Time Is The Best Time! Had Jesus come sooner to His disciples it would not have been profitable for them. (see Matt. 6:8) 4.His Love Is Unchanging! Heb. 13:8 “Be of Good Cheer, It Is I, Do Not Be Afraid!”

Application To Ourselves It will be this way for all the dear children of God! “After the tempests of earth, we shall enjoy the tranquility of heaven all the more.” “After weary wonderings and a sorrowful sojourn in this vale of tears below, we shall relish far more keenly the rest and home above.” Pulpit Commentary on Mark, Pg.289

Application To Ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (RSV)

“Be of Good Cheer! It Is I, Do Not Be Afraid” Be Not Afraid! Of Temptation! Of Trials! Of Tears! Of Toils! Of Troubles! Of Perplexities of the wilderness! Of The dark night of storm! Of storms of persecution! Only make sure that you are His, and all the blessings of the covenant will be your portion!

“Be of Good Cheer! It Is I, Do Not Be Afraid” Jesus Is With Us All The Way! When the hour of our departure is at hand! (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) "O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (RSV) On the resurrection morning! (John 11:25) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, (RSV) In the day of Judgment! (2 Corinthians 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body. (RSV)

Sources Pulpit Commentary on Mark Commentary on Matthew by Kenneth Chumbley Halley’s Bible Handbook