Jesus on Fear By Tyler Frank – Biltmore Church
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s followers of Jesus, none of us are immune to suffering. Nobody can avoid difficulties or trials in this life. Jesus’ teachings, however, repeatedly remind us not to be afraid. But what is his rationale? How can he tell us not to fear? If you’re anything like me, the daily news headlines are usually a source of anxiety (see: murder hornets?). The constant stimulus of information is almost too much sometimes. Understandably, there is a lot of pain, frustration, and uncertainty during this time, which causes us to experience one of the most basic and intense emotions: fear. Fear (and its cousin, anxiety) is a mixture of reactions to uncertainty about a potential outcome and concrete threats. Or, as John Mark Comer has said – a Christian definition could be the: “anticipation of future suffering…without Jesus involved in it.” As followers of Jesus, none of us are immune to suffering. Nobody can avoid difficulties or trials in this life. Jesus’ teachings, however, repeatedly remind us not to be afraid. But what is his rationale? How can he tell us not to fear? Here are four reminders directly from Jesus (italics mine):
Do not fear, Jesus values you. Matthew 10:26-31: “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Do not fear, Jesus will meet your needs. Luke 12:22-32: “And he said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being
Tyler Frank of Biltmore Church is Pastor at the Hendersonville Campus and the son of Biltmore Church’s lead Pastor Bruce Frank. Biltmore Church is a small church in many locations across Western North Carolina. Biltmore Church exists to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus who reach up, reach in and reach out. Visit them online for more information at www.biltmorechurch.com
46 GML - March 2021
