Seeing Jesus Clearly in the Darkness

Sometimes life puts us in the middle of a storm—figuratively or literally—and it’s there, in the darkness, where Jesus reveals more of who He truly is. That’s exactly what happened in John 6:16–21, and it's exactly what Pastor Jeff Lane walked us through in his latest message at our church gathering. If you missed it, here's a recap that could change how you see your next storm—and how you see your Savior.

Alone in the Dark Waters

After the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, Jesus sent His disciples across the Sea of Galilee while He withdrew to pray. The disciples found themselves struggling in the dark, fighting heavy winds in the middle of the sea—and Jesus was nowhere to be seen.

Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve been there. Maybe you are there. In the dark. Trying to make it through the night and wondering where Jesus is.

But what the disciples learned that night—and what Pastor Jeff reminded us—is that God often reveals Himself most clearly in the midst of our hardest trials.

“It Is I”—The Great I AM

Out of nowhere, Jesus walks across the water toward the boat, and understandably, the disciples are terrified. But Jesus speaks: “It is I; do not be afraid.”

In Greek, He says “Ego Eimi”, which literally means “I AM.” This isn't just a calming phrase—it’s a declaration of His divinity. He’s identifying Himself as the very same “I AM” who spoke to Moses from the burning bush in Exodus 3.

This is one of those moments where you realize: Jesus isn't just someone who helps you in a storm. He is the One who commands the waves. He is God in the flesh.

The Point of the Storm

So why did Jesus send them into a situation that would terrify them? So they could get a bigger, clearer, deeper vision of Him. God sometimes leads us into seasons of difficulty so that we come to the end of our own strength and finally grasp His.

As Pastor Jeff said, “You need a bigger vision of God, a deeper understanding of your need for Him, and a clearer view of Jesus.” And storms have a way of refining our view like nothing else.

He’ll Get in the Boat

At the end of the story, once Jesus steps into the boat, it says they “were glad to take him in”—and then immediately, they arrived at their destination. The same Jesus who walked across the waves stepped into their chaos and safely carried them home.

He’ll do the same for you. Whether you're worn out from rowing through life, tired from fighting the wind, or overwhelmed by the dark, Jesus is the I AM who steps into your boat.

Ready for a deeper view of Jesus? Don’t go it alone. Join us next Sunday at Powell High School and discover what it means to follow the One who calms the storm. Whether you’re a long-time believer or just starting to explore faith, you’re welcome here. We’d love to walk with you—through calm waters and rough seas alike.

👉 Bring your questions, your doubts, your hopes—and find the peace that only Jesus can give.

We meet every Sunday morning at Powell High School. Join us next Sunday—you just might see Jesus more clearly than ever before.