What does "Take courage! It is I" reveal about Jesus' divine identity? Setting the Scene Matthew 14:27: “But Jesus spoke up at once: ‘Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’” The disciples are straining at the oars in a fierce wind. Suddenly Jesus walks on the water toward them and utters this arresting declaration. The Power of the Phrase “It is I” • Greek text: ἐγώ εἰμι (egō eimi) – literally, “I AM.” • Not merely self-identification, but a deliberate, loaded echo of God’s covenant name. • Spoken at the very moment Jesus is displaying control over the chaotic sea. Echoes of the Divine Name “I AM” • Exodus 3:14 – “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’” • Isaiah 41:4 – “I, the LORD—the first and the last—I am He.” • Isaiah 43:10 – “Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come. I, yes I, am the LORD…” By using the same wording on the water, Jesus lays claim to the identity reserved for YHWH. Divine Actions That Match the Divine Words • Job 9:8 – God “treads on the waves of the sea.” • Psalm 107:29 – “He calmed the storm to a whisper.” • Matthew 14:25 – Jesus literally does what Scripture attributes to God alone. The deed (walking on the sea) and the word (“I AM”) combine to reveal His deity unmistakably. Reinforced by Parallel Passages • Mark 6:50 – identical wording and context. • John 6:20 – “It is I; do not be afraid.” John later records seven “I AM” sayings, rooting them in this first open claim. Implications for Our View of Jesus • He is more than a miracle-worker; He is the LORD Himself come in the flesh. • His presence nullifies fear: courageous faith rests on who He is, not on changing circumstances. • The scene anticipates the ultimate revelation of His glory (Matthew 17:5; Revelation 1:17-18). Covenantal Comfort in the Midst of Storms • Every believer hears the same assurance: “Take courage! I AM.” • The One who holds the seas in His hand also holds His people. • Because Jesus is the great “I AM,” His promises are eternally trustworthy (2 Corinthians 1:20). |
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