Jan 13, 2021 Jesus speaks truth to our fears

I had the chance to go to Hawaii some years ago. While walking on the beach with my family, I saw people climbing up a cliff and disappearing on the other side. We walked over to see people jumping off into the ocean. I couldn’t resist and found myself up on that ledge, looking into the ocean. It was a huge drop. A girl next to me seemed afraid and unsure about jumping.

My creative evangelist mind turned on and I asked her, Do you know where you’ll go when you die? She looked confused and replied, What? I told her, it’s really important to put your trust in Jesus right now because you never know when your last day will be. As I was preparing to jump, she looked at me inquisitively and said, I’m not sure where I’ll go when I die. As I was flying in the air I shouted, then figure it out by praying to Him.

When you look into the unknown of the new year, it’s hard to imagine the future. The unknown times in our lives are hard to work through. But, if you think about it, you’ll realize there were other tough, uncertain times in your pastÑand God pulled you through. Even if it was hard and life hasn’t been the same, you’re still here, reading this.

God speaks truth to our fears of the unknown when we read these final words of Jesus to his disciples in Matthew 28:16-20:

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

The first thing we notice is that Jesus spoke to the 11 disciples left. One totally gave in to his fears and took matters into his own hands. Judas betrayed Christ out of his fear of the unknown. When we let fear take control, we do things we are not proud of. But it’s never too late to turn back to Jesus even when we make mistakes. Next, we notice that Jesus says, all authority…has been given to Me. So even if their future seemed uncertain, the disciples could trust in Jesus who had all control and power to act on their behalf. Lastly, Jesus then tells them about the work they have to do, even if they were uncertain of the future.

God hasn’t called us to cower in fear as we face the unknown, but He calls us to faith, hope and mission. Jesus ended His final sermon with, I am with you always, to the very end of the age. We can take hope in the One who has all authority, and who will not leave us as we step into the deep unknown.

That young girl had some figuring out to do when I left her. You might have some figuring out to do as well. How will you walk confidently into the unknown with the One who will be with you to the very end?

---