Fear Not

Who said, “I am. Fear not” (John 6:20)?
Jesus.

What does "I am. Fear not" (John 6:20) mean?
The original four Greek words εγω ειμι μη φοβεισθε (ego eimi me phobeisthe) literally and respectively mean "I am not fear," and is best translated in this context, "It's me. Don't be afraid," or "Don't be frightened."

Is this the full account or the abbreviated account?
The abbreviated. A fuller account is in Mark 6:47-51: 47 Now when it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48 And He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night He came toward them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, 50 for they all saw Him and were shaken. And immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage! I am. Fear not.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed among themselves beyond measure, and marveled. And an even fuller account is in Matthew 14:23-33: 23 And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. And evening having come, He was there alone. 24 And the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they panicked, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they screamed in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, “Take courage! I am. Fear not.” 28 And Peter answering Him said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind, he became afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And Jesus immediately stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

When is “the fourth watch of the night” (Matthew 14:25)?
The twelve hours of the night were divided into four “watches” back then, each corresponding to a three-hour period during which a sentry would keep watch before being replaced. 6 PM to 9 PM was the first watch; 9 PM to midnight was the second watch; midnight to 3 AM was the third watch; and 3 AM to 6 AM was the fourth watch.

How many miracles are in the above accounts in John, Mark & Matthew?
At least six.

What are they?
1. Jesus saw them “straining at rowing” (Mark 6:48) even though it was “night” (Matthew 14:25) and they were “about twenty-five or thirty stadia” (John 6:19, 2.8 - 3.4 miles) from shore (and Jesus was farther inland).
2. Jesus walked “on the sea” (John 6:19, Mark 6:48, Matthew 14:25).
3. Jesus had Peter walk “on the water” (Matthew 14:29).
4. Jesus reached out to Peter from a distance. Imagine yourself walking on water but starting to sink. If the person who can keep you from sinking is close by, you would just grab onto him or lunge to grab onto him; you wouldn't verbally request his help. The fact that Peter “cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!'” (Matthew 14:30) indicates that Jesus was some distance away and indeed “stretched out His hand” to catch Peter (Matthew 14:30).
5. The “wind ceased” (Mark 6:51, Matthew 14:32) when Jesus came aboard.
6. Jesus took the boat to land miles away “immediately” (John 6:21).

When did Peter began to sink?
When he took his eyes off Jesus and instead focused on the adversity around him, and became afraid (see Matthew 14:30).

What three lessons can we draw from this?
1. When all hell breaks loose around you, keep your focus locked onto Jesus.
2. Instead of praying for the waves and the wind to die down, ask Jesus to enable you to keep walking.
3. “Straining at rowing” (Mark 6:48) without Jesus onboard is futile.