Based on John 19:38-42 (New King James Version)
38 “After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.”
In today’s passage, we see examples of two people that unfortunately were fearful; Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. These men had very good intentions, but they were governed by fear. Textually, the Scriptures tell us that Joseph of Arimathea was fearful of the Jews and that’s why he believed secretly, and we can also deduce that Nicodemus had the same fear because John intentionally mentions twice that he went to go see Jesus at night. Why would anyone do something at night? Out of fear, so that they would not be able to see what he was doing. This is what the Word indicates to us: 20 “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:20-21.
If we dig deeper into the issue, and although many may not perceive it as such, fear is sin. And although all unrighteousness is sin just as the Word says, there are differences, in the sense on how they affect things and the consequences they bring about. If we see it clearly in the Word, fear is in the same category as pride. For example, we see the following: 8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8. The first type of person that heads up the list of the condemned (per se) are the cowardly. And well, the cowardly are people that are governed by fear. It’s true that the others will also go to the same place, but for some reason, the cowardly head up the list. There are no accidents in the Word. Everything that is written is precisely intentional, so then, we really need to weigh this issue.
What are the consequences of fear? Many! And I would venture to say that there are just too many bad consequences that fear brings about if it is not used appropriately (because according to the Word, we do need to fear something, or rather, Someone). Ill-used fear paralyzes. For example, there are many people that do not make a decision to follow the Lord because they are afraid of their family, of losing friendships, of having problems with authorities, of having problems with work, of losing control over their lives, etc. And well, because of that fear, they simply do not come to God’s salvation. So then, because of the fear they feel, they sentence their own soul to eternal perdition. That is a great loss! Many times, people don’t speak the truth with others because of fear, and that’s why they omit, and hide, and lie. And also, when the truth finally comes out (because absolutely everything comes out to the light, sooner or later), there is where everything that was hidden because of fear is damaged. Because of fear, many believers do not confess their faith publicly, and they hide that within themselves, with the excuse that this is something personal, that it is something between God and them. Yes, it’s something personal, but we cannot be ashamed of something that is so great and special. Therefore, that fear also cause the created punishment, that the Lord Himself will deny them in the most crucial moment for every soul, as it is written: 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33. The other example of the damage that fear causes is that many believers are paralyzed and do not share the Gospel with those that surround them, for fear of being despised, mocked, rejected, etc. And by not sharing the Gospel, those people do not receive possibly the only opportunity they might have to get to the salvation that God desires for everyone to have. So, that fear deprives other people from having eternal life. What do you think God’s opinion is on the matter? Will the Lord justify something like that? I don’t think so. And possibly, these are only but a few of the many other examples of the damage that fear causes, or rather, ill-applied fear; because as stated previously, a person does need to feel fear, but correctly. For it is written: 27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:27-28. The only One that can destroy both the soul and body in hell is God; no one else. So then, we should not fear people, nor circumstances, nor death, and not even Satan himself. The only One we should fear is God because all things depend on Him, from the smallest and most insignificant, to great and eternal things. There is no one higher than God.
In closing, let’s see the advice the Apostle Paul gives to Timothy regarding fear, and of what Timothy should worry about more, what he should be doing, and the example that Paul himself demonstrates to him, as it is written: 3 “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:3-12.
We all have some measure of fear; but some more than others. We all need to conquer our fears, for our own good and for the good of others that surround us. So, whom do you fear? Do you fear God or people and inferior things? Lord bless! John