Don’t be afraid

Don’t be afraid

Bible: Luke 2:42-52

Reading

The kingdom of God has come near (MARK 1:15).

Nearly every time an angel appears in the Bible, the first words he says are “Don’t be afraid!” It’s no surprise. When the supernatural makes contact with planet earth, it usually leaves people flat on their faces in fear!
But Luke tells us about God making an appearance in a way that doesn’t frighten. In Jesus, born with the animals and laid in a feeding trough, God came to us in a way that brought people near, rather than sending them running. What could be less scary than a new-born baby? On earth Jesus was both God and man.

As God, He worked miracles, forgave sins, beat death and predicted the future. For His Jewish listeners, who knew the Old Testament stories of God appearing in terrifying ways, like in a pillar of fire (SEE EXODUS 13:21), Jesus was confusing. How could a man born in Bethlehem, a carpenter’s son, be God’s chosen one? Why did God become a middle-eastern man? The story of Jesus (when he was twelve years old) asking questions of the religious teachers in the temple gives us one clue.

“Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers” (LUKE 2:47). For the first time, ordinary people could hold everyday conversations with God. Jesus can talk to anyone—His parents, a religious teacher, a poor widow, a friendless woman—without first having to announce, “Don’t be afraid!” In Jesus, God comes near.

JESUS BECAME GOD IN SKIN TO

MAKE HIMSELF KNOWN TO YOU AND ME.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries