Part X of XII - The Imperatives (Commands) of Jesus - "Do not fear..."

Mark 5:35-43

Jesus' Good News does not bring fear.  It brings HOPE.
While others produce fear, especially fear of death and destruction, often to manipulate people into giving them power or into giving up their freedoms so that they can be manipulated, exploited and controlled, Jesus' Good News ELIMINATES fear, especially as folk commit to LIVING IT.

You see, fear does not promote AGAPE, but prevents it from being lived.  Fear keeps us from being open and receptive to others, and from doing what we are commanded to do by Jesus in committing to the well being of our Neighbor, who Jesus says is stranger and enemy (Luke 10:25, ff.). 

Jesus calls us to something different.  We are commanded to live HIS example of active commitment on behalf of others unconditionally, even to self-sacrifice.  That is a tall order.  It is a command.  BELIEVING means believing in Jesus' Good News - what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us as how we are to live if we are going to follow HIM.  It is about BELIEVING that it is a BETTER WAY for all the world, and believing it enough that we commit to LIVING IT.

You see, as we find in I John 4:16-21, a beautiful summary of Jesus' command to live Agape, God IS Love and if we live in God, we live that.  There is NO FEAR in Agape.  Agape eliminates fear.  If we believe that God loves us so, we have nothing to fear in openness and commitment to the other, even stranger and enemy.  If we claim love for God but withhold love for others, we are liars.

So, when you hear from politicians (especially those who CLAIM to follow Jesus), preachers, other Christians that we should be afraid and act out of fear with others, know that that message is NOT of Christ, who commands Agape which eliminates such fear.

It is out of fear that we attack, deport, murder, incarcerate, discriminate, invade, give up our freedoms, say horrible things about others, stereotype, scapegoat, profile and segregate.  Fear is not of Christ.  Do not live in fear or speak or act out of fear.  Be bold enough to live Agape.

Pastor Jamie