Monday: They Weren’t Naturally Fearless
WEEK 23
MONDAY
THEY WEREN’T NATURALLY FEARLESS
John 16:32-33
Just how did the early Christians get such amazing freedom from fear? Originally they were full of fears. They were afraid of their physical safety, for he had to speak to them on a storm-tossed lake, “Why are you afraid, you people of weak faith?” (Matt 8:26). They were afraid of their reputations: “If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, it’s certain that they will call the members of his household by even worse names. Therefore, don’t be afraid of those people” (10:25-26). They were afraid of the unknown: “When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, and said, ‘It’s a ghost!’ They were so frightened they screamed. Just then Jesus spoke to them, ‘Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid’” (14:26-27). They were afraid of the spiritual world: “Hearing this, the disciples fell on their faces, filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ he said. ‘Don’t be afraid’ ” (17:6-7). They were afraid of ultimate failure: “Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). They were afraid of organized opposition: “The disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities” (John 20:19).
These disciples, the boldest of whom couldn’t stand the gaze of a serving maid, found themselves collapsing with fear: “And all his disciples left him and ran away” (Mark 14:50). Then suddenly they became irresistible apostles, unafraid of anything: life, death, Sanhedrins, Roman authorities. How did it happen? At least three things account for the amazing change. First, they got themselves off their own hands into the hands of God. As long as we are on the basis of self, we feel insecure, afraid. Second, the Spirit moved in, took over, cleansed their powers, and made an inner unity; they felt coordinated and whole. Third, they began to feel that they belonged to a “kingdom that can’t be shaken” (Heb 12:28) and to the final victory. Anyone who will go through these three things is invulnerable, secure. Fear has no part or lot in him or her. That one belongs to the Fearless Society—the Society of the Emancipated—which can put its whole weight down free.
O Lord, help me to take those three steps—help me to get myself off my own hands into your hands, and help me to be possessed by the Spirit, and help me to belong to the unshakable kingdom. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I am in God’s hands; I am possessed by the Spirit; I belong to the unshakable kingdom.