Chinese Martyrs
Chinese Martyrs, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57230 [retrieved November 12, 2022]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chinesemartyrs-htm_sm.jpg.
Exploring the Text: Do not be afraid
In this passage Jesus talks about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end times. These are topics that probably would have inspired fear and anxiety then, just like talking about the end times sometimes does today. Yet in the middle of this discussion, Jesus tells us not to be afraid (verse 9).
There are many things that can cause us fear and anxiety. Yet even in the middle of our biggest challenges, we do not need to be afraid. God is in control no matter what our circumstances look like. In the middle of personal crises, stress and opposition, uncertain circumstances, an unstable society, and even wars and rumors of wars, we need not be afraid because God is in control. We may not trust what we see, we may not trust what we feel, but we can always trust the heart of God. We can always trust that God has our best interests in mind and has the power to bring his will to pass. We can take Jesus’ words seriously and not be afraid or anxious because we know we can trust him.
David W. Dalton
In this passage Jesus talks about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end times. These are topics that probably would have inspired fear and anxiety then, just like talking about the end times sometimes does today. Yet in the middle of this discussion, Jesus tells us not to be afraid (verse 9).
There are many things that can cause us fear and anxiety. Yet even in the middle of our biggest challenges, we do not need to be afraid. God is in control no matter what our circumstances look like. In the middle of personal crises, stress and opposition, uncertain circumstances, an unstable society, and even wars and rumors of wars, we need not be afraid because God is in control. We may not trust what we see, we may not trust what we feel, but we can always trust the heart of God. We can always trust that God has our best interests in mind and has the power to bring his will to pass. We can take Jesus’ words seriously and not be afraid or anxious because we know we can trust him.
David W. Dalton