DON’T BE AFRAID; JUST BELIEVE
Mark 4 and 5
“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
It is not unreasonable to be fearful in the middle of a storm in the middle of a lake, or, as a woman made unclean because of her blood disorder, touching a rabbi and being called out. It is not unreasonable to fear the worst when people bring news that your daughter is dead.
The only odd one is the man who was possessed because it was the demons who were afraid. It was the villagers who were afraid. And they were afraid of Jesus. He wanted to follow Jesus but was told to remain and be his witness in a region that was afraid of him.
Yet Jesus fought against the fears in the people around him and sought to instil faith instead.
From young we learn fear because fear is a good guide helping us to stay away from the things that can harm us. Fear helps us survive a world in darkness. But now that light has entered our world we must learn to live in faith and Jesus taught those around him this important lesson.
“Don’t be afraid; just believe.”