There are Christians who grew up knowing that the Bible declares "Do not fear" 365 times. For them, this means there is no reason to be afraid every single day. (Except on February 29th, every four years.) But with the current state of lawlessness perpetuated by those sworn to protect and to serve us, people are afraid.
Fear paralyzes people. Fear impairs judgment. Fear forces someone to flee, fight, or even freeze. Fear is the powerful's most effective weapon against dissent and resistance. The Roman Empire maintained peace and order using the fear of imprisonment, exile, and crucifixion. The Romans crucified those they tagged as "enemies of the state." Up to 500 state-sanctioned executions in a single day. All legal!
Fueled by years of patriotic, anti-communist, and anti-Semitic rhetoric, tens of millions of Christians did nothing as Hitler and his minions imprisoned, persecuted, and executed "the insignificant few" who actually numbered in the millions.
Fear permeates the Gospel of Mark. Why did Peter rebuke Jesus? He was afraid for Jesus. Why did Peter deny Jesus? He was afraid of being identified with Jesus. Why did all the male disciples flee when Jesus was arrested? They were afraid of being arrested with Jesus. Why did the women disciples at the tomb not share the good news that Jesus has been raised from the dead? They were afraid! Their fear of being crucified like Jesus was greater than their faith in the promise of the resurrection.
Faith conquers fear. We know this.
But how do we conquer our fear when our faith seems not enough? With someone else's faith. My faith conquers your fear. Your faith conquers my fear. Despite the culture of impunity, perpetuated by Duterte and his ilk, that pervades our land, there are people who believe in us even if we are afraid. There are people who will stand with us even if we are afraid. There are people who will die with us even if we are afraid! Their faith is enough for all of us!
Was Jesus afraid when he faced the cross? I believe he was. His prayer to God in Gethsemane shows us how scared he was. But he faced the cross anyway because one person had faith in him and in the promise of the resurrection: the unnamed woman who anointed him with oil before his death. Why? Because she believed there would be no body to anoint after. She believed his tomb will be empty. She believed God will raise him up.
And God did.
When we are afraid and our faith is not enough, let us take heart.
There are people whose faith is enough for all of us!
*art, "Christ in Gethsemane," JESUS MAFA (vanderbilt divinity library digital archives)
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