“When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise and have no fear.'” Matthew 17:6-7
January 5, 2024
Are you afraid of Christ? His disciples were frightened by the stunning reality of God’s presence. Jesus’ transfiguration and God’s declaration about His Son were too much. Afraid of Christ? How could that be? Jesus lived on this earth as a real man. In one sense He did evoke fear among His disciples. After all, He was God in human flesh. Also, we have to appreciate those breakthrough moments when the reality of the cross, the resurrection, and the glory of the Second Coming seemed to have converged, namely on the Mount of Transfiguration. His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Jn. 12:15, “Fear not, daughter of Zion..”) further conflicted His men. It seems paradoxical that the final triumph of Christ was veiled yet somewhat frightening. That’s because of the awesome reality of God’s presence. The humble Servant of God did not fail in His mission. He brought hope and He is our hope. We have nothing to fear. But woe to those who have not taken Him seriously and have rejected His salvation. That is a terrifying prospect. This world is intoxicated with its fictions about the meaning of reality. The fear of death will become an everlasting reality. Are we awed by Jesus Christ? We should be. Yet at the same time He is our gentle and lowly Savior who is with us always.
H
“O God, I confess that you have not been in all my thoughts, that the knowledge of you as the end of my being has been strangely overlooked, that I have never seriously considered my heart-need.” (The Valley of Vision, “The Awakened Sinner.”)