Matthew 28:9, 10, ‘Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!…Do not be afraid…’ These are the first words the Risen Christ speaks in Matthew’s Gospel (and they are also the words depicted in Greek in today’s image). Significantly, the word translated ‘Greetings’ is actually the imperative form of the word for ‘Rejoice.’ It become an idiom […]
Music by The Lockwoods Lyrics by Christopher Powers I heard the voice of Jesus say “My child, do not fear.” // “But Lord,” replied my trembling heart, “The darkness is so near.” // “It rises up before my eyes, it quenches every light. // With cruel and hopeless words it weaves a world that
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Mk 4:18-19, “…the ones sown among thorns…hear the word, but the anxieties of the world…choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” 1 Pt 5:7, “…cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you…” Jn 19:2, “…the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head…” In Mk 4,
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Matthew 10:28-30, “But fear rather the one who is able even soul and body to destroy in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore, do not fear,
1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…” One implication of this verse is that, in order for fear to take root in our lives, it has to cast out—or at least obscure—perfect love. What is Fear? I would suggest that Fear happens when we believe in
John 10:3-5, “The sheep hear His voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out…the sheep follow Him for they know His voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” The sheep recognize the VOICE of
Isaiah 8:12-13, “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But YHWH of hosts, Him you shall honor as holy. Let Him be your fear…” How we fear and what we fear reveals whose we are. When the wolves of an Assyrian
1 John 4:18, “…perfect love casts out fear.” As we receive the love of God in Christ and are transformed into that same image of self-giving love, fear is cast out. What is fear? At its roots, fear is the belief that our story will end in darkness, that we will be finally cast
Matthew 14:26-27, “But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke the them, saying, ‘Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.’” The disciples see what they think is a restless spirit rising up
John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” As I considered this morning what exactly the “Peace” that Jesus gives is, I noticed a few things: First,
2 Chronicles 20:12, “…we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” I read this passage in 2 Chronicles a few days ago during my morning reading. It’s such a beautiful and invincible response to suffering…..To be able
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Matthew 6:34, “…do not be anxious about tomorrow…” The heart of Sovereign Love revealed at the cross is the same that authors all our days…let us receive them, read them, and endure them in hope, knowing that–because our God is risen–the ending is joy beyond imagination. I am often tempted to be eaten
Revelation 1:17-18,”When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying: ‘FEAR NOT, I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I died, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.’” Whatever our
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1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment…” When we receive the love of God–poured out in the slain and risen Christ, mediated by the indwelling Holy Spirit–we are caused to love as we have been loved. And when the
John 6:20, “But He said to them, ‘It is I [in Greek: “I Am”] do not be afraid.” Jesus stands in the midst of the storm. And because He is the I Am–from whose loving hand and for whose ultimate glory all of our storms come–we do not need to be afraid. May He
Matthew 17:7, “Rise, and have no fear.” Whenever spoken by Holy God to Sinful Man, these are blood-bought words.
1 Peter 5:6-7, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God…casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” When God’s mighty hand ordains painful trials for us, we humble ourselves under it by pouring out the trial-born anxieties to Him, because He cares for us. And if we doubt the
Isaiah 41:10, “…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Because the Son was not spared, and because the righteous right hand of the Lord was pierced, His righteousness now
Luke 12:32,”Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
