“Don’t Be Afraid”
Jesus knew that fear was a great problem for God’s people. In the accounts of the gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), Jesus warns against “fear” or “being afraid” at least seventeen times (maybe more, depending on how you count). Do we recognize the great danger that fear poses? Jesus certainly did, and He did more to remove fear from our lives than any other. Hebrews 2:14-15 says, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Fear of death subjects us to bondage. Jesus came to release us from the fear and power of death.
In John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Who is the “thief?” What does he steal? Why doesn’t he enter by the door? Who are the sheep? How does the thief steal the sheep? What is his purpose in stealing the sheep? Why is the life that Jesus gives contrasted with the work of the thief? How is Jesus the Good Shepherd? From what does He protect His sheep?
When we are children, we are taught to fear many things. We compound these fears as adults until we are compassed on every side. “Fear” is a great merchant; it peddles many things; it takes life as payment and steals our allegiance from God. Denying fear simply increases it. Only Jesus can take away fear when we put Him in place of our fears.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley