{"id":920,"date":"2017-02-23T18:37:03","date_gmt":"2017-02-23T16:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pellissier.co.za\/faith\/?p=920"},"modified":"2017-02-23T18:37:03","modified_gmt":"2017-02-23T16:37:03","slug":"dont-be-afraid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pellissier.co.za\/faith\/2017\/02\/23\/dont-be-afraid\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Be Afraid"},"content":{"rendered":"

\nLuke 8:41-42 (WEBBE): 41<\/sup>Behold, a man named Jairus came. He was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus\u2019 feet, and begged him to come into his house, 42<\/sup>for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitudes pressed against him.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jairus, the synagogue ruler, came to Jesus to ask Him to heal his only daughter. She was dying. I can just imagine how he must have felt, as a dad that was powerless against the illness that was threatening his daughter’s life. Jesus was the only one who could save his daughter. I can imagine how impatient Jairus must have gotten with the crowd that was in their way, stopping them from quickly getting to his house. Maybe Jairus was blaming himself for taking so long before approaching Jesus.<\/p>\n

And then came the worst news that any parent can receive.<\/p>\n

\nMark 5:35-36 (WEBBE): 35<\/sup>While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler\u2019s house saying, \u201cYour daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?\u201d 36<\/sup>But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid, only believe.\u201d<\/font>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jesus’ immediate reaction was to assure Jairus that there is nothing to be afraid of. And Jesus tells him that faith is the opposite of fear.<\/p>\n

\nHebrews 11:1 (WEBBE): 1<\/sup>Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If we hold onto fear, and let it have a hold on us, then we are stuck looking at the present situation. But if we have the “proof of things not seen”, then we don’t need to fear what we see in the physical world.<\/p>\n

And Jesus was, of course, true to His Word.<\/p>\n

\nLuke 8:54-55 (WEBBE): 54<\/sup>But he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, \u201cChild, arise!\u201d<\/font> 55<\/sup>Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From this account we learn that there is nothing that is big enough that we should be afraid of it. Not even death should cause us to be afraid – Jesus is bigger than that too!<\/p>\n

The question that remains is, why should we not be afraid? I am sure that you will agree that you don’t want to experience fear. But there is more to it than that. So lets look at the account of Peter walking on the water.<\/p>\n

\nMatthew 14:24-26 (WEBBE): 24<\/sup>But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25<\/sup>In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. 26<\/sup>When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s a ghost!\u201d and they cried out for fear.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Sea of Galilee, on a misty but very hot day in 2010. The sea was calm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now imagine yourself in the disciples’ situation. The fourth watch according to Roman tradition was from 03:00 to 06:00, so it is early morning and still mostly dark. And sea is quite unlike my photo above – there is wind and waves and conditions are generally quite stormy. You are in a small fishing boat that is battered by the storm. And then there is somebody walking on the water towards you! <\/p>\n

Honestly, I would not have been any less afraid than the disciples!<\/p>\n

\nMatthew 14:27 (WEBBE): 27<\/sup>But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, \u201cCheer up! It is I! Don\u2019t be afraid.\u201d<\/font>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jesus is saying again, immediately, \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid.\u201d<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMatthew 14:28-29 (WEBBE): 28<\/sup>Peter answered him and said, \u201cLord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.\u201d
\n29<\/sup>He said, \u201cCome!\u201d<\/font>
\nPeter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Peter applies faith here, which we have already seen is the opposite of fear. He keeps his eyes on Jesus, and performs a pretty amazing miracle in the middle of a storm. It would have even been impressive on a perfectly still swimming pool, but here Peter is walking on a stormy sea!<\/p>\n

When we encounter the word “but”, everything changes to the opposite of what it was a moment before.<\/p>\n

\nMatthew 14:30 (WEBBE): 30<\/sup>But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, \u201cLord, save me!\u201d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here we see the effect that fear has on us. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at his circumstances. “He was afraid” and that fear displaced the faith that he had to start with. And so he began to sink.<\/p>\n

\nMatthew 14:31-33 (WEBBE): 31<\/sup>Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, \u201cYou of little faith, why did you doubt?\u201d<\/font> 32<\/sup>When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33<\/sup>Those who were in the boat came and worshipped him, saying, \u201cYou are truly the Son of God!\u201d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jesus didn’t just leave Peter to drown. No, He immediately stretched out His hand to save him. And only then did He admonish Peter for doubting.<\/p>\n

God won’t leave us to drown in our troubles if we call out to Him. He will save us regardless of how many times we fail to believe. But that is not the best way. God intends us to have faith for ourselves, so that we can move our mountains ourselves.<\/p>\n

\nJohn 14:27 (WEBBE): 27<\/sup>Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don\u2019t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.<\/font>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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