054 Fear Not: Overcoming Fear
Three times in the Christmas narrative, angels appear to people bringing what would seem to be news of hope and promise. But each time they begin their tidings with these words: Don’t be afraid.
It happened to Mary, to Joseph, and to the shepherds.
So, for this Christmas message, I’d like us to consider each of these characters and ask these questions:
What was it they might have been afraid of?
What steps did they have to take to overcome that fear?
What did they gain for having taken those steps?
Let’s start by looking at Mary.
Mary was probably no more than 14 or 15 years old. Now here comes this angel telling her that she will become pregnant through the direct power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to a son.
Can you imagine the fear she must have felt?
The fear for her reputation. The fear of the responsibility of motherhood. Coupled with those is the fear of giving birth to and caring for the Son of God. All of these seem to come under one heading.
Mary’s fear: “It’s too big for me.”
You and I also face “Mary moments” - when you’re asked to respond to God’s request to do something that seems well beyond you. Fear warns us of all the bad things that might happen if we say “Yes” to God.
Then there’s Joseph.
Joseph was a skilled laborer with a solid reputation. Probably quite a bit older than Mary, he had an established business and was known in the town as a “righteous man.
What might Joseph have been afraid of when the angel said: “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife…”?
Joseph’s fear: “What will others think?”
Perhaps you can identify with Joseph’s fear. “If I do what God is asking of me, what will others think?”
Finally, let’s look at the shepherds.
Certainly, being confronted by a host of angelic beings is enough to terrify anyone! But I think their fear goes beyond that.
The shepherds’ fear: “Things will never change.”
You have to understand who the shepherds were. They weren’t the cute bath-robed figures in our nativity scenes. They were considered outcasts of society. They were poor, transient, uneducated, and looked down upon by nearly everyone.
In giving them the message first, God was making a profound point. This good news that a Savior has come isn’t just for the religious, or wealthy, or educated. This Good News message is for folks who have lived lives of rejection.
Each of these people – Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds – received an offer from the angelic messenger. Each of them experienced fear. And each of them took the same steps.
Surrender – They chose to lay down their former way of thinking. They stopped giving in to the lies.
Trust – They took God at His Word.
Obey – Each one of them took a step.
As with them, so with us. We won’t lack for fear; but we can take steps of surrender, trust, and obedience. And as we do, we will discover:
the thrill of a deeper, more fulfilling life
the privilege of participating in God’s redemptive work.
the peace that God really is with us.
and the joy that fear does not have to have the last word.
Text: Matt. 1:18-21; Luke 1:26-33; Luke 2:8-10
Originally recorded December 22, 2013, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.