How does fear influence our acceptance or rejection of Jesus today? Fear on the Shoreline: Mark 5:17 “And the people began to beg Jesus to leave their region.” (Mark 5:17) Why Did They Beg Jesus to Leave? - They had just watched about two thousand pigs rush into the sea and drown (Mark 5:13). Loss of income loomed large. - The man they could never chain is suddenly calm (Mark 5:15). Power greater than theirs stands before them. - Awe turned to terror: if Jesus could command demons, what might He demand of them? Modern Parallels: How Fear Still Blocks the Door - Fear of economic loss: “If I follow Christ, what happens to my career, my lifestyle, my relationships?” - Fear of exposure: “Everyone who does evil hates the Light…for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” (John 3:20) - Fear of change: We prefer the familiar chains to the unknown freedom. - Fear of power we cannot control or explain. Fear That Draws Us Closer - The delivered man “begged to go with Him.” (Mark 5:18) His fear turned to devotion because he experienced mercy. - Peter fell at Jesus’ knees: “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8). Healthy dread led to discipleship. - True “fear of the LORD” is the start of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). It pulls us nearer, not farther. Scripture’s Two Paths of Fear Bad fear (drives away) • rooted in loss, shame, control issues (Mark 5:17; John 3:20) • sourced in the enemy who “held…slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15) God-given fear (draws close) • reverence, worship, submission (Proverbs 1:7) • carried by love that “drives out fear” (1 John 4:18) Faith—The Antidote Jesus Commands “Do not be afraid; only believe.” (Mark 5:36) God’s Spirit supplies “power, love, and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7), not paralyzing dread. Steps to Trade Fear for Faith 1. Acknowledge Christ’s authority as absolute fact, not opinion. 2. Recall His past mercies—like the healed man told to “tell how much the Lord has done for you” (Mark 5:19). 3. Surrender the specific loss you dread; lay it before Him (Philippians 4:6-7). 4. Replace imagined outcomes with God’s promises; meditate on His word daily. 5. Act in obedience, however small, proving that belief overrules fear. Fear will either push us to beg Jesus to leave or pull us to beg Him to stay. The choice remains as clear—and as consequential—today as on that shoreline. |
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