To the unexpecting shepherds encountering a choir of mighty angels hovering over their flocks by night, the word came…do not be afraid.
Â
To the trembling fishermen whose nets hours ago were totally empty but now in danÂger of swamping the boat, such was the measure of the catch, the word came…don’t be afraid.
Â
To the cowering disciples on the stormy seas, the word cameâ¦don’t be afraid.
Â
To the 12 disciples, confronted by the crowds, ridiculed by the religious intellectuals who scoffed at the claims of this carpenter they had left all to follow, the word came…don’t be afraid.
Â
To the watchman of the boat who saw a ghost of death instead of a gravity defying, water walking Savior, the word came…don’t be afraid.
Â
To the most favored trio of the Messiah who fell to their face on that Transfiguration mountaintop after hearing the very voice of God, the word came…don’t be afraid.
Â
To both Marys, and Salome, who came that most blessed of all mornings to tend to the dead body of a crucified Jesus, the word came…don’t be afraid.
Â
To the disbelieving disciples hiding out in the upper room for fear that the Romans would kill them too, the word came… do not be afraid.
Â
To the synagogue ruler Jairus, when the reporters came saying ‘it’s all over’ for your daughter, ‘it’s too late’, ‘give it up’- the word came…do not be afraid.
Â
To followers who would someday be brought before governors and kings as a testimony to the world, the word came…don’t be afraid.
Â
To the perplexed disciples as Jesus explains his soon coming death on the cross, the word came…don’t be afraid.
Â
To the missionaries chained in foreign prison cells, the word came…don’t be afraid.
Â
To John the Revelator, who in prison exile on Patmos island, beheld the full radiance of the glorified Jesus, the word came…don’t be afraid.
Â
To every believer who holds to the faith and name of Jesus, from the Spirit of Christ, the word has come…
