Mark 6:50 "Immediately (Jesus) spoke to them and said, 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'"
Medals are given to courageous heroes who rescue people from burning buildings, icy lakes, or wrecked cars. There are other forms of courage that may not be noticed by the news media.
This may be the case with Christ's disciples. The heroes of faith have greater strength because they have Jesus with them, supplying the confidence and bravery they need.
We know that Jesus promised courage to those who were afraid. "Take courage! It is I!" He said to His terrified disciples as He walked towards them on the water.
Jesus also supplies courage to a father going from place to place to apply for a job so that he can feed his family, to a mother who continues to care for her children after the death of her husband, to a boy defending his small brother from a bully every day on the way to school, or to a girl who day after day is shunned by others at school because of the reputation of her family.
These unsung heroes remember Jesus' courage when He let unbelievers nail Him to the cross. It is Jesus' death and resurrection that gives us the courage to live as He expects. When He appeared to His mourning disciples, He gave them courage to spread His message. So it is with us.
PRAYER: Help us, Lord to tell Your message of love and forgiveness. Amen.
(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800 325-3040.)
Today's Bible Readings: Job 8-10 Matthew 9:1-17
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