Mark 6: 47-52 (NLT)
Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here! Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.
The skeleton in the closet. The body buried under the boards. The monster that rears its ugly head. The ghosts in the basement cellar.
You’ve heard the phrases before, ways of expressing our deepest, darkest, long-buried secrets, sins, and fears. Things we’re terrified for others to find out about. The thought of our ghosts being discovered and brought to light scares us. Causes us to fear. Causes us to cringe and run for a shovel. Forget all these literary words - it freaks the mess out of us!
Much like it did the disciples on that long ago night when they thought they saw a ghost. Take into account all the disciples had seen and done: the miraculous meal, casting out demons, healing the sick, preaching the Gospel, and so on. Then, shortly after all of this, their chomping on their nails in terror over a ghost. A ghost that turns out to be Jesus, with yet another miracle.
It’s not that different from us. Not long ago, my ghosts (hidden sins and lusts) would wander through my mind’s eye. I would scream in terror, scared of what the ghosts were capable of, destroying my life or reputation. But now when these ghosts trample across the waves of life and come ever closer, I, like the disciples, see Jesus. I’m no longer afraid of my ghosts because when I see them now, I witness firsthand the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ.
Those demons are not things to fear, but to give to Jesus. They are not things to terrorize me, but remind me of grace. They are not there to torment, but as opportunities to share with others the hope and healing he provides.
