This week we continue our Lenten Worship series entitled I Give Up that explores what we might give up during this season of introspection and preparation.
We live in a world that often feels like it’s ruled by fear. There are so many of us fearful of disease and illness–especially in this COVID era. There are so many who are fearful of being judged for their race as statistics show an increase in hate crimes. There are so many who are fearful of losing abilities or freedoms, either through accident or illness or other circumstances. It is hard to face these fears without being controlled by them.
Yet so often our scriptures remind us not to be afraid! I believe that God calls us out of fear and offers us comfort and peace. Even more, I believe that God calls us out of fear and empowers us to offer that same comfort to others.
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 (CEB)
1 After these events, the Lord’s word came to Abram in a vision, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your protector. Your reward will be very great.”
2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what can you possibly give me, since I still have no children? The head of my household is Eliezer, a man from Damascus.” 3 He continued, “Since you haven’t given me any children, the head of my household will be my heir.”
4 The Lord’s word came immediately to him, “This man will not be your heir. Your heir will definitely be your very own biological child.” 5 Then he brought Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars if you think you can count them.” He continued, “This is how many children you will have.” 6 Abram trusted the Lord, and the Lord recognized Abram’s high moral character.
7 He said to Abram, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as your possession.”
8 But Abram said, “Lord God, how do I know that I will actually possess it?”
9 He said, “Bring me a three-year-old female calf, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a dove, and a young pigeon.” 10 He took all of these animals, split them in half, and laid the halves facing each other, but he didn’t split the birds. 11 When vultures swooped down on the carcasses, Abram waved them off. 12 After the sun set, Abram slept deeply. A terrifying and deep darkness settled over him.
17 After the sun had set and darkness had deepened, a smoking vessel with a fiery flame passed between the split-open animals. 18 That day the Lord cut a covenant with Abram: “To your descendants I give this land, from Egypt’s river to the great Euphrates…”
Luke 13:31-35 (CEB)
31 At that time, some Pharisees approached Jesus and said, “Go! Get away from here, because Herod wants to kill you.”
32 Jesus said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Look, I’m throwing out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete my work. 33 However, it’s necessary for me to travel today, tomorrow, and the next day because it’s impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who were sent to you! How often I have wanted to gather your people just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that. 35 Look, your house is abandoned. I tell you, you won’t see me until the time comes when you say, Blessings on the one who comes in the Lord’s name.”
Consider these questions:
- What is Abram afraid of? Are there ways that you feel the same fears? How does Abram express his fear? How do you express yours?
- How does God respond? Is there more than one way that God responds?
- How does Jesus respond to the Pharisees who tell him that Herod wants to kill him? Are such threats easy to respond to? What does Jesus’ response say about him and about his focus?
- Does the image of the hen bring you comfort? Does it bring another response?
- Where is God when we are afraid?