Do not fear, only believe

8 December. Day 8.

Fear.

The Oxford pocket dictionary defines it as: “a panic or distress caused by a sense of impending danger, pain etc.  state of alarm.  feel anxiety about.”

The Oxford Advanced Learers Dictionary defines it as “to be afraid of somebody or something.  to feel fear about doing something.  to feel that something bad may happen.”

The Oxford Childrens Dictionary pens it as “to feel fear. ”

In Luke 8, we read about various people encountering Jesus.

In the account of Jesus calming the storm, it says of the disciples in verse 25″And they were afraid, ” Verse 37 reads, “Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.”

I find it quite profound that being in the very presence of the Lord, people felt afraid. In both these accounts, the people were witness to the miraculous power of the messiah. The disciples saw first hand Jesus calming a storm. And the people surrounding the Gerasenes were eye-witnesses to a demon-possessed man being delivered and healed. I suppose if I imagine myself being there, and try to think of how I would feel witnessing somebody who is said to be the messiah – the one we have all been waiting for – doing things that I have never heard of or come across or seen before, then perhaps, in my human-ness, I would also possibly feel afraid. Maybe I would check in with those I respected and trusted and asked, could this be? Is this ok? Can I trust this?

And I can also imagine that for those who have not come to the point of receiving Gods grace and mercy – his free gift of salvation – that their lives could still be gripped by fear. Fear that something bad might happen. Feeling afraid of this person, who says he is the Christ. The risen one. The living hope. Feeling a sense of anxiety about what may result if they surrender to His Lordship.

Then the most amazing truth in verse 50 comes to light. “Do not fear, only believe, (and she will be well).” DO NOT FEAR, ONLY BELIEVE. Security, stability, safety. In just 5 words. How beautiful is the gospel. That Jesus came to rescue us, to redeem us, to restore us and to renew us to new life in Him. We only need to believe and trust in Him and we will be well. It takes courage to do this, but the consequence is life-changing.

This Advent, let us make the choice. Do not fear, only believe!