Key Passage
The leading priests and the teachers of the law heard these things. They began trying to find a way to kill Jesus. They were afraid of Jesus because all the people were amazed at his teaching. That night, Jesus and his followers left the city.
— Mark 11:18-19 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
We are brought to the great irony of the story that will continue to unfold: those who hate and want to murder Jesus are afraid of him. They won’t believe, but they will fear. Are their fears well founded? If they are trying to preserve the status quo, then their fears are well founded. If they are choosing the preservation of their own religious understanding, then their fears are well founded. If they are trying to maintain the facade of self-determination and control, then their fears are well founded. They will not kill Jesus for being a nice guy, a friend to outcasts, a helper to the weak, and a lover of children. They will kill Jesus because he comes to challenge everything they hold dear. What will we do with such a Jesus?
Prayer
Almighty God and gracious Father, while I sometimes fear change in my life, your grace and mercy have taught me not to fear Jesus. However, dear Father, I do find that in my heart there are areas of reluctance that I do not want to relinquish to his control. This shames me when I am courageous enough to be honest about it. Please help me relinquish control of these areas of my life to your Son. Please use your Spirit to comfort and calm me as I must learn to walk by faith in areas of my life where I have tried to maintain control. In Jesus’ name I ask this. Amen.
Related Scriptures
There was a follower {of Jesus} in Damascus. His name was Ananias. The Lord (Jesus) spoke to Ananias in a vision. The Lord said, “Ananias!” Ananias answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to Ananias, “Get up and go to the street called Straight Street. Find the house of Judas. Ask for a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. He is there now, praying. Saul has seen a vision. In this vision a man named Ananias came to him and put his hands on him. Then Saul could see again.” But Ananias answered, “Lord (Jesus), many people have told me about this man (Saul). They told me about the many bad things this man did to your holy people in Jerusalem. Now he (Saul) has come here to Damascus.
The leading priests have given him the power to arrest all people that believe in you. ” But the Lord (Jesus) said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. He must tell about me to kings, to the Jewish people, and to other nations. I will show Saul the things he must suffer for my name.” So Ananias left and went to the house of Judas. He put his hands on Saul and said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the One you saw on the road when you came here. Jesus sent me so that you can see again and so that you can be filled with the Holy Spirit. ” Immediately, something that looked like fish scales fell off Saul’s eyes. Saul was able to see again! Saul got up and was baptized. Then he ate some food and began to feel strong again. Saul stayed with the followers {of Jesus} in Damascus for a few days.
— Acts 9:10-19
The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. He is our source of power and love and self control. So don’t be ashamed to tell people about our Lord {Jesus}. And don’t be ashamed of me—I am in prison for the Lord. But suffer with me for the Good News. God gives us the strength to do that.
— 2 Timothy 1:7-8
And so we know the love that God has for us. And we trust that love. God is love. The person who lives in love lives in God. And God lives in that person. If God’s love is made perfect in us, then we can be without fear on the day when God judges us. We will be without fear, because in this world we are like him (Christ or God). Where {God’s} love is, there is no fear. Why? Because God’s perfect love takes away fear. It is {God’s} punishment that makes a person fear. So {God’s} love is not made perfect in the person who has fear.
— 1 John 4:16-18
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