17th Day of Lent
Real Fear, Real Reason to Fear
"And those who followed him were afraid." Mark 10:32

From our side of the resurrection, we wonder why those who were following Jesus to Jerusalem were afraid.  What was there to be afraid about?  Jesus would rise from the dead on the third day!  Nothing can top that.  Nothing to fear!

But, of course, the followers of Jesus did not know that.  Even though Mark records Jesus telling him of his death and resurrection three times, it sure doesn't appear they believed him or understood what was really going on.  They were fearful because Jesus told them he would be arrested and killed.  The resurrection part they simply could not comprehend, and understandably so.  And if Jesus would be put to death, what about his followers?  Their lives were in danger as well.  The Roman and Jewish leaders might just arrest and kill them too, putting a permanent end to this new movement.

But we do know the outcome of the story.  Christ was, in fact, raised.  And that changed everything.  Sin and death did not have the final say.  We truly do have nothing to fear.  Christ is with us.  Christ will never abandon.  We hold fast to that confession, facing life without fear, for God is with us.