Shirin McArthur

Dear friends,

The thread I see running through today’s readings is fear.

The psalmist begins by singing of God’s love, but by verse 7, “God is much to be feared.” That fear isn’t grounded in a belief that God is bad, but rather a visceral awareness of God’s might and power. The psalmist declares how God has “crushed Rahab” and “scattered enemies” with “a mighty arm.” Such a powerful God is certainly to be feared, even if you believe that God is on your side.

The Maccabees believed God was on their side, and they fought because they were afraid. In the century before Jesus’ birth, Greek influence was spreading in the ancient near east. The urban upper classes in Jerusalem wanted to adopt a Greek lifestyle and dispense with those 613 commandments in the Hebrew Scriptures. The Maccabees feared their faith was being annihilated through such cultural assimilation, and they were willing to go to war to preserve their heritage and traditions.

Revelation gives us a very fear-based image of the end times, with Satan deceiving people around the world and fire coming down from heaven in another kind of holy war. Even earth and heaven are afraid enough to flee from God’s presence!

Finally, we have Matthew’s version of the mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus. We tend to think of this event as something awesome and holy, but the disciples were “overcome with fear.” Perhaps they recognized the holiness of that moment and felt they weren’t worthy to be there. Perhaps the voice of God was indeed “much to be feared.” Maybe they realized how relatively powerless they were before an all-powerful God.

So, what do we do with all this fear? Jesus’ response is gentle and compassionate. In a tender moment, as the disciples tremble and cower, Jesus comes over and touches them. He doesn’t deny their fear, but he tells them they don’t need to be afraid.

When and how has Jesus touched you (perhaps through the hands and voices of others) when you have been afraid? I invite you to ask the Spirit to give you opportunities to be gentle and compassionate with the fearful you encounter in the days and weeks ahead.

—Shirin McArthur

More of my reflections can be found on my blog.