We know Christ to be a man of peace.  There is not recorded one even where he used violence against anyone.  There are no events recorded where he threatened anyone.  And yet, it seems that when people are confronted with his presence, there seems to be an overwhelming sense of fear.  Now, in the case of this Scripture, perhaps they were afraid because in their minds, Jesus was supposed to be dead and buried.  He was supposed be among those whom we would never see again.  I can imagine that would be a startling situation.  But more than the fear is the impact the fear has on those with whom Christ finds his presence.  Whatever they are doing stops — comes to a complete halt.  I wonder if that is the impact of fear on all of us.  When we find ourselves startled or afraid, we freeze — our efforts and actions come to a complete halt.  Now, our stopping may only be for a moment.  But how long does it take for living to cease?  How long does it take after life stops before we can start living again — free from the fears that caused us to stop?  I believe that Jesus in his presence offers peace so that our living and loving may continue.  And this is not a peace that is absent of conflict.  This is a peace that is filled with love and acceptance.  It’s when we feel loved and accepted that we are at our most free to live and love.  We are at our most powerful to live without the fear that those who would stop us want us to experience.  Those who would stop us know the power of fear to “interfere” with our living.  Jesus knows the power of peace — a life lived without fear — to enable us to experience the presence and power of God without limitations.

• How do you believe your life would change if fear didn’t prevent you from doing the things that bring God’s peace and joy?
• What feelings would you experience if you recognized Christ in your presence without being announced?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
God of Peace and mercy, grant that I may find peace in Your presence and not fear. Grant me thee courage to eliminate my fear that Your peace may prevail in my life.

         We live within the tension between our fears and what we can accomplish if we take risks for Jesus’ sake — and sometimes our own.  Fear had captured the disciples, and yet Jesus was adamant — “Take courage.  It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”  While the words are designed to compel us to wrestle our fears under control, they also highlight a limiting condition of the human psyche.  We live in fear!  And it is our fear which gets in the way of our ability to do phenomenal things at the call of Christ.  It’s our fear which stunts whatever courageous acts we might take that would allow us to accomplish great things — phenomenal things because Jesus calls us to do them.  With courage we can step outside the bounds of what is considered normal and with God as our partner, do the things that seem abnormal.  But before we can do those things, fear must be brought under control.  Fear must be remedied.  Fear must be eliminated and our faith — that which drives us beyond what we believe we can do into the realm of the One for whom all things are possible — our faith enables us to accomplish God’s work without our self‑imposed limitations of fear.  These things become possible if we’re willing to live and love courageously.

• When have you taken a risk courageously that you were previously afraid to take?
• What possessed you to step out on faith rather than to live in fear?
• Has allowing your faith to overrule your fear changed your relationship to God?
• In what ways?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
God of faith and love, help me to believe that with you all things are possible. Help me to eliminate my fear through faith so that Your glory might be revealed in me.

         Most everyone is aware of the acronym for FEAR — “False Evidence Appearing Real”.  It’s almost a cliché statement.  But the reality is most people’s fear is real to them.  And all of the evidence they receive is valid and true.  And enough research has been done to show that fear covers a wide spectrum.  There are people who fear heights (acrophobia), people who fear water (aquaphobia), people who fear the number 13 (triskaidekaphobia), people who fear death (thanatophobia), and people who fear being ordinary (koinophobia). and of course there is the more common xenophobia (the fear, dislike, or prejudice against people perceived as foreigners or strangers).  It’s not only common, but we observe it in practice in our communities today.  Those are clinical and medically described fears that people suffer from.  And yet, there is a fear that is common to all people.  It’s normal in most cases and healthy in some others.  But when we become trapped by those things that prevent us from the freedom in life that God intended for us, then we face a far more powerful fear than can be handled by a medical specialist.  That’s the essential reason why the resurrection of Christ was so vital.  It was a spiritual signal to all humanity that in life and in death there is nothing really to fear.  Jesus wanted to show us that it’s possible to live courageously and love courageously without the anxiety that living every day sometimes brings.  He also wanted to show that the only real fear we needed to experience was the fear of God (reverence and awe) — a fear that is life‑giving and creates a human trust God in that can overcome all situations and frees us from the uncertainties of life and death.

         We are truly blessed to have a God who loved us so radically that he was willing to display the power of faith by allowing His Son to die.  And more, to raise him to new life to show us that not even death is to be feared.

• What fears in your life have prevented you from living your life to the fullest?
• When has faith alive in you helped you to overcome something you were afraid of?
• How has God worked within your fears to increase your faith and trust in God to deliver you?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Gracious and freeing God, empower me by my faith in your resurrection to put aside every doubt and fear that prevents me from living life and loving others courageously.