HE said, "Don't be afraid
I have always been struck by the words recorded in Mark. These are the first words Jesus speaks as he is sitting outside the empty tomb.
He doesn't say, "see I told you so"
He doesn't proclaim himself king of the universe
He doesn't say to get revenge for what was done to him.
He comforts one the most basic emotions we have as humans. Reaching back to my psychology days in school a long time ago. Fear is 2nd of our human needs right behind eating and drinking. Maslow says in his study on the needs of humans, fear is like the fear little children have when faced with danger or uncertainty.
Jesus knows there was fear in those short days before is resurrection.
He knows the human condition.
He knows how his friends will react as he spent 3 close years knowing their emotions, fears and shortcomings.
He knew how to relate to them
Jesus came in to this word to save sinners. He acknowledged one of the most basic human needs to be protected and not in a state of fear.
He was touching their hearts as he comforted them as he knew they would be fearful.
He did what he said he was going to do.
HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD !
I would have been right there with them trembling on my knees.
Just like another time in my life.
The Rest of the Story
“We held Rick’s hand as he slipped into death,” said his parents. “We thought this was the end of the story, but we had not heard it all yet. The Sunday Rick attended church there was indeed a three-foot snowstorm. Many members of the church did not attend, including the sound man. Someone started the tape for the sermon and forgot to turn it off. There was a time of prayer after the sermon and you could clearly hear Rick asking God to help him because he believed He had great things in store for him. That was the last thing on the tape before it stopped. The motto of this little church in Boulder was "To Find the Lost of Boulder and Bring them Home." Not many small churches get to see their motto worked out in such a graphic manner, but on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Tree of Life found one of the lost and brought him back home to be with God. Richard died homeless, penniless, carrying around all he owned, but now we rejoice that Rick is with his Heavenly Father, and all is well.”
Jesus met their fears on that day in front of the empty tomb.
He met my fears as his promise of eternal life was now taken by Rick.
He is with him today
God met my fears face to face and held me and comforted me.
Meet me there today, Lord, and in the future as Jesus' words ring true as he tells me again "Don't be afraid" while on the Adventure in Middle Grove.
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