And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God. . . (Deuteronomy 10:12)

When Peter saw the miraculous catch of fish he fell at Jesus’ feet and said, “Go away from me, Lord, I am a sinful man! Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for men.” (Luke 5:8)

One of the great contradictions in the Bible is the issue of the “fear of God”. Throughout the Law, the Proverbs, and the Psalms is the injunction to fear God. It is the very beginning of wisdom.(Proverbs 9::10); but in both testaments there is the contradictory message, “ Don’t be afraid” when encountering God. These words were spoken to Abram, Joshua, Mary, Joseph, Peter, and others, all who received unexpected encounters with God.

I believe that this is one of the very crossroads of the Gospel itself, for it is one of the places where the person of Christ Jesus makes the difference. Peter’s fear was like Moses’ fear at the burning bush when he hid his face. They were both afraid of the truth about themselves in the presence of Holy God, and it is Christ who says, Don’t be afraid (of God) that transforms Peter into a disciple.

I once heard a young man say, “Where does anyone get the idea that they should fear God? Don’t we all know that God is the “good guy”? Don’t we know that He helps us, not hurts us?” Though the young man may have been sadly Bible ignorant, I have come to believe that Jesus’ words mean exactly what they say. “Don’t be afraid” of God or man, for fears warp our characters and keep us from receiving the eternal and amazing benefits of Jesus’ resurrection.

Peter hardly knew his own fear until he was in the presence of God’s son. It was Jesus who lifted the fear, so that we may call God our very own Father.

When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they were terrified. (John 6:19-20) Jesus said simply, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” They had not asked to see him, or even prayed at all, but “It is I” was all they needed to lose their fear. It is still all we need today to know that all is well. When we are frightened of God or man, Jesus still says to His own, “ It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Love in Him,

Prue