Pastor John Leighty is a licensed local lay pastor. He is also a grain buyer for a local agricultural business in Botkins, Ohio.
E-mail: jsleighty(at)gmail.com
God’s Answer to Fear
There is no doubt that we live in frightening times. Whether it is the fear of terrorism, economic crisis, or health issues, there is no shortage or reasons for us to be afraid. But this is not how God wants us to live.
There was a time when Jesus’ disciples were facing one of the most frightening moments I their lives. Jesus had just told them that he was going to leave them, that one of their own would betray him, and that he would die on a cross. But he had an answer for their fears, words that we can take heart in when we are afraid. Read John 14:1-6
- We know Jesus (verse 1) In this moment of fear and panic, the first thing that Jesus said to encourage his disciples was a remainder of who he was. In essence, he was saying, “I haven’t brought you this far to abandon you now. I know what I am doing. I will lead you through this. Believe in me.”
- If you are a Christian, you are going to heaven (verse 2) For the Christian, heaven is our hope, the promise of something greater and eternal. The promise of new perfected bodies without the aches and pains. But most of all, Jesus will be there, too.
- Jesus is coming again (verse 3). Scripture promises that the day of the Lord’s return is coming soon.
As Christians, we know and believe these words from scripture, but there are still times when we are unsure and confused. One of the disciples, Thomas, voiced his uncertainty with Jesus and Jesus responded with one of his boldest statements in verse 6. Simply put, other religions promise heaven, but only Christ can deliver it. Only He can give us life, only He can provide a pathway to heaven, and only He has absolute truth. For the believer, that is a great reason for hope.