From the Pulpit: Do not be afraid
It is interesting how many times the words, “Do not be afraid,” are in the Bible. A word search of the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) shows seventy-eight times. The New Inter-national Version (NIV) shows eighty-one times.
These words show up several times in our Christmas story. The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and says, “Do not be afraid.” Gabriel also appears to Mary, and says, “Do not be afraid.”
When Joseph decides to quietly divorce Mary because she is pregnant during their engagement, an angel comes to Joseph in a dream and says, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” And an angel appears to the shepherds and says, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy.”
I don’t know about you but if someone saying, “Do not be afraid,” it would be a lot like someone saying, “Calm down.” My instant reaction is, “Don’t tell me to calm down.” I think if an angel suddenly appeared, in all its holy splendor, I would have every right to be terrified.
I hope that I would regain my composure and remember all the times in the Bible that seeing an angel was a good thing. Usually a life changing thing, but a good thing also. It was a time when God sent a messenger to deliver news. Indeed, a message from God may be scary. It can certainly change your whole life.
Zechariah is having the best day of his life, having been selected to go into the temple and light the incense in the Holy Place. This was a once in a lifetime honor. And on top of that an angel appears and tells him that he and his wife are going to have a son, John the Baptizer, even in their old age.
In Mary’s case, an unmarried twelve-year-old became pregnant. In her culture, she could have been put to death if Joseph had pursued his legal rights. It was her faith in God that helped her to say to the angel, “Yes. Let it be as you have said.”
In Joseph’s case, he would believe his fiancé had been unfaithful and was pregnant with someone else’s child. That must have been an immensely powerful dream for him to believe the angel and take Mary to be his wife. And to be Jesus’ earthly father.
In the shepherds’ case, they were just out working, keeping watch over the sheep. And suddenly an ordinary day became extraordinary. The angel appeared and the heavenly host shone around them and they were the first to learn of the Messiah being born. God sent an angel to these hard-working, dirty, smelly shepherds.
This gives me hope. That God uses ordinary people to spread the good news about Jesus. You and I can see “angels” in our midst and faithfully answer God’s call. Perhaps it will be scary at first, but your life will be changed for the better as you help God’s people.