O Lord, please rescue me from my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to kill me, along with my wives and children. But you promised to treat me kindly and to multiply my descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore …
Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
— Genesis 32:11-12, Matthew 10:28
As we waited for the doctors in the consultation room, Mandy and I talked nervously, prayed and felt our hearts jump out of our chests when the door finally opened.
The focus of this particular doctor conversation centered on our infant daughter, specifically, a heart defect that could be corrected only through surgery.
It was a new and fierce fear for us to face. We chose to trust God and put her into his hands. Thankfully, he gave her back.
Jacob was afraid.
His brother, Esau, had determined many years ago to kill him. Esau heard Jacob was returning and decided to go meet him.
Jacob prayed. He had no other recourse. All he had to stand on was the promises God had given him. He chose to trust God and leave his fate in God’s hands.
Good choice.
Jesus told his followers to fear God above all. People can only kill your body. They can’t touch the life to come.
Fear will never leave us alone. There is no off switch. It can define us, hem us in and leave us cowering in an unlocked prison cell.
It is no respecter of persons and is absolutely insatiable.
Jesus knew his body was going to be destroyed. He also knew his father could be trusted. He refused to allow the fears of this life to derail his obedience to his father.
What about us? Does our life declare, “Thy will be done”?
He’s Just the …
He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. … And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. …
— Matthew 13:54-58
As I hear some of the tales from my youngest as she continues to plow her way through college, I experience flashbacks to my time in the collegiate experience.
Yes, the papers, exams, group projects, labs and way-too-long lectures.
I remember walking out of many testing rooms quite pleased with my efforts.
“Nailed it!”, I’d say to myself.
Later, when the test results were posted, however, it was quite clear I didn’t have a clue.
As Jesus’ ministry was really picking up steam, he paid a visit home.
He taught. He did miracles.
The hometown folks weren’t impressed.
Just a few years ago, he was playing with the other kids. He worked his daddy’s trade. His sisters, brothers and mother were there. He’s just the kid who grew up next door. They knew him … or did they?
Jesus, as the unique God-man, is beyond us.
We can’t figure him out or hem him in.
He’s beyond our little minds.
We know only what he chooses to reveal.
The journey with him is a mysterious adventure.
The disciples continually scratched their heads as they followed him around never knowing what would happen next.
When he appeared to them after he rose from the dead, they finally abandoned all their, “He’s just the…”
Have we?
Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.
Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.