Have you ever noticed that every time an angel appears in the Bible, the first words that angel speaks are usually, “Don’t be afraid”? Have you also noticed that every time an angel says those words, it is usually a pretty good time to be afraid or at least significantly concerned about what is going on? A couple of examples might suffice here: Gabriel appears to a young Galilean peasant girl, announcing that she is about to have a child out of wedlock. In conservative Galilean communities, girls could get stoned for that in the first century. Or poor Gideon is threshing his wheat in a wine press because he is trying to hide from the Midianites. “Don’t be afraid,” says the angel, who then calls Gideon a “mighty warrior.” The guy is hiding in a wine press! Gideon will go on to face down the great Midianite host, but only after God whittles his army down to 300 men. Nothing to be afraid of there!

I think the angels learned this from Jesus. “Have no fear,” he says, and then he enjoins us to sell all our possessions and give to the poor. I am glad of the treasure in heaven that does not get eaten by rust or moths, but what about dinner tonight?

There is no rational or logical way to arrive at the sort of fearlessness which the angels and our Lord urge upon us in this reading. There is only one way – the Spirit of God must give it. Such courage flows out of faith, that relationship with God through Christ in which He loves and cares for me. I have known people who had this fearlessness. They have bravely faced deprivation, humiliation, and even death. I knew a fellow who once took on what looked like an impossible task, leading a Christian high school that was clearly failing. It was hard work. He had nothing to prove and nothing to gain, but much to lose, including a hard-won reputation. But with joy and gusto, he jumped into that task and did good work. He told me that Christ was with him. He had no fear of failure or what anyone would say to him. He had Christ. RPB