Tag: Fear

The presence of God

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HIGHLIGHT

Luke 8:35 (ESV): 35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

EXPLAIN

Jesus and his disciples had sailed across the Sea of Galilee to the Gerasenes. When they landed, they were greeted by a demon-possessed man that no one could take or control.

Jesus delivered the man, sending the demons into pigs which rushed off a cliff and drowned in the sea. Those tending the pigs rushed into town to tell the people what had happened.

When they saw Jesus and the man restored, they were not grateful for God’s deliverance. They were afraid. Most likely, the financial loss of the pigs scared them. But also, they seem to have been afraid of what having Jesus in their midst might mean to them. How would they have to change their way of living? What would it cost them?

APPLY

These same fears keep many from embracing Jesus today. And even Christians may sometimes hold Jesus away at arm’s length for fear – what will it cost me and what must I change to live in God’s near presence.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, I have chosen and continue to choose to live surrendered to your Word and will. May your close presence enable me and guide me each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Facing the unknown

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HIGHLIGHT

Mark 9:32 (ESV): 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

EXPLAIN

Mark records three times that Jesus foretells his death. This was the disciples’ response after Jesus told them the second time that he would be killed. It didn’t make sense to them, but more importantly, they didn’t want to consider the truth, the implications, of what he said.

Interestingly, immediately after this foretelling the disciples got into an argument about who was greatest in God’s kingdom. In Mark 10 we find the 3rd time Jesus foretold his death. That was immediately followed by James and John seeking high position in God’s kingdom.

APPLY

The disciples were not the first nor the last to be confused by God’s words and actions, nor were they the last. How many times today do people walk away from God – leave the Bible study, Sunday School, or congregational worship time – confused and frustrated, not because anything was “wrong” with the teaching or preaching of scripture, but because their hearts were not willing to consider the countercultural precepts of God’s kingdom? How many times deben today do people walk away from God because he doesn’t make sense to them?

For the disciple of Jesus, we must step into our fear, open our mouths and ask… and then be willing to hear and obey.

Fear traps us in the comfort and safety of the known and denies us the opportunity of experiencing God deeply.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, may I choose to leap into the unknown as I follow your Son. May I not shrink back in fear or confusion but continue to follow you humbly with full trust. In Jesus’ name, Amen.