Facing Fear

“Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to take Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me, but the Scriptures must be fulfilled.’ Then they all forsook Him and fled.”

– Mark 14:48-50

Judas had already set out to betray Jesus. The last supper was over, and the disciples were now with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus is praying, and He told His disciples to pray as well. However, Jesus found them sleeping rather than praying. And when Judas and the troops arrive to capture the Lord, one disciple resorts to violence, and eventually, all flee the scene. They were all being led by emotion and not truth.

There are principles of warfare given to the Jew. Moses wrote, “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. ² So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. ³ And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; ⁴ for the Lord, your God, is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’” (Deut. 20:1-4)

What if the disciples had been found watching and praying? Would God’s Spirit have brought this Scripture to their memory? Do you think they would have tried to battle all alone and then run away terrified? It could be that they would have been in the Spirit and prepared for what was to come, just as Jesus was doing as He was praying. What an example we have in Christ!

As His followers, we know Jesus does not need us to fight for Him. He fights for us! When we are afraid, however, do we remember that? We are often so terrified of something negative happening in our lives that we feel like running away rather than standing firm. Maybe you find yourself in that situation today. If the battle you are experiencing seems overwhelming, remember God is with you and has brought you through every situation. He will continue to strengthen you. We will certainly be at peace if we watch, pray, and stand on His word and promises. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and is soon returning. Rest in that hope.

“Do you fear the weakness within your own self? I have put it there to drive you to Myself. I may never answer your prayers to be made strong, but I will give you the same promise I have the apostle Paul, that in your weakness I will be your strength. It is still true that My grace operates most effectively when you have a conscious sense of need – yes, even a desperate awareness of your own complete helplessness.”

– Francis J. Roberts (Come Away My Beloved)