Do Not Be Afraid

In one of the scenes from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown speaks to Lucy at her therapy booth about knowing he should be happy at Christmastime, but he’s not.  At that point Lucy begins asking him if he has certain “phobias” to try to explain his condition.  The word “phobia” generally means being frightened, alarmed, scared or fearful of something.  Jesus, on a number of occasions in Scripture, uses a form of the word “phobia” (afraid – phobeo) to relieve the fears or anxieties of people. 

For example, while His disciples were on the Sea of Galilee headed toward Capernaum, the wind picked up and the waves became turbulent.  Then they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them and were troubled, crying out in fear.  But Jesus spoke to them and said “Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid” (Mt. 14:22-27; Mk. 6:45-50; Jn. 6:15-20).  On another occasion, when Peter, James and John were with Jesus, He was transfigured before them, Moses and Elijah appeared, and God spoke from heaven “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  Hear Him!” (Mt. 17:1-5).  Upon hearing God’s voice, the disciples were greatly afraid, but Jesus calmed their fears by telling them “Arise, and do not be afraid” (vs. 7).  A final example is found at the time of Christ’s resurrection.  Some women came to the tomb after the Sabbath and encountered an angel of the Lord.  After telling them not to be afraid, the angel told them that Jesus is risen and to go tell His disciples.  On their way, Jesus met them and said “Do not be afraid.  Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me” (Mt. 28:1-10).

In turbulent or alarming times, it’s easy to be afraid of what’s going on or what might happen to us.  But let us be encouraged to “not be afraid,” for the Good Shepherd watches over and cares for His sheep (Jn. 10:11-15, 27-30).