What Jesus Did! 'I AM; Do Not Fear!' — John 6:16-20

Sunday, April 26, 2026

That evening Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn't come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, "Don't be afraid. I am here!"
— John 6:16-20 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus' words to his terrified disciples were powerful. Literally, he said, "I AM; do not fear!" Built on his "I AM" statements [1] throughout the Gospel of John, this one shouldn't be underestimated. Jesus' words in today's verses are built upon the twin concepts of the God of Israel who revealed himself as the great "I AM" [2] and the God who rescues from the ocean deep in the Psalms. [3] Effectively, Jesus was saying, "I am God with you; you don't need to be afraid! I can still the storm. I can preserve and protect you." Jesus comes to us in the middle of our storms and says the same to us. Storms are inevitable. But rather than cowering in the storms of our lives, we need to remember that Jesus comes and meets us in the middle of the storms, so we aren't alone and don't have to be afraid!

[1] John 6:35, 8:12, 10:7, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1.
[2] Exodus 3:13-15.
[3] e.g., Psalm 107:28-32.

Today's Prayer

Give me faith, O God, to believe that in even the worst of my life's storms, I can trust that you are here with me and that you will ransom me home. Thank you for the assurance that you will never leave me or forsake me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

10 Related Resources by Heartlight

Not Prepared for These Storms!
Article by Phil Ware
What are you going to hang onto during these storms? If Jesus isn't made the center of our marriages and families, our failure is assured.
I Doubt It: I AM, Don't Be Afraid
Article by Phil Ware
Maybe the goal in life is not to arrive at our goals, but to invite Jesus into the journey and let him get us where we need to be. Phil Ware continues his series called "I Doubt It" and this week focuses on Jesus coming to his closest followers through the storm when they were exhausted, afraid, and uncertain.
Jesus Comes in the Storms
Article by Max Lucado
Do you feel too far from the shore, too long in the struggle, and too small against the waves, with Jesus is nowhere to be seen. Max Lucado reminds us that we are not alone in our storms, but Jesus comes to us in the storms before he stills the storms.
I Am: Handwritten Messages from Heaven - Fear
Article by Phil Ware
How in the world do I obey that command? Phil Ware continues his series on I AM from the Gospel of John and focuses on Jesus' statement that he is I AM and so we should not fear.
See All 10 Related Resources about John 6:16-20

Illustration

Illustration of John 6:16-20 NLT — "Don't be afraid. I am here!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, April 26, 2026

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'The Apocalypse'
"Dear Precious One, During the first few decades after the completion of My incarnation on earth, sporadic persecution, seizure of properties,..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Luke 18:1
"If men ought always to pray and not to faint, much more Christian men. Jesus has sent his church into the world on the same errand upon which he..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Hebrews 10:25
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'They Can't Prove What They Are Saying!'
"[After Tertullus presented the charges against Paul,] the governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, "I know, sir, that you have been a..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!