Isn’t it silly which things require bravery? Saying “no” to a friend’s Christmas invitation seems scary because they might be offended. Choosing that particular gift can be frightening because it may not be what they wanted and it will hurt to see it rejected. Telling a co-worker about the Christmas Eve service carries risks.
These things aren’t even really threatening. Yet, we act in fear. Saying yes to everything, apologizing for gifts before we give them, and avoiding the most essential topic in the world.
Thank God Jesus was brave. More than brave- thank God Jesus was fearless.
His fearlessness made Him man, born a dependent baby to sinful people. His courage led through a life of persecution. Finally, His bravery brought Him to die on a cross and be separated from God Himself. And then…to rise again. It’s because of that that we truly live!
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”
–1 Cor 15:14
“Because I live, you also will live.”
–John 14:19
And in all that, Jesus never shook. He never wavered. There was never a compromise to take a step back when threats arose –the very kind of threats we rarely hear but always fear: abandonment, rejection, and betrayal.
Why?
Jesus had no cause for fear. He was (and is!) so aligned with God and so fully accepting of God’s perfect sovereignty in all things that He has no cause for fear. For us to live that same way is brave.
Christ was beholding the truth. So fixed on it was He that nothing could stir up doubt or fear in Him. He was so complete and fulfilled in God that there was no room for fear.
We can follow that example. We can be bold like Christ is bold by beholding Him too.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation–so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?” –Psalm 27:1
Behold, the one whose path is straight leaving us no cause to stray.
Behold, the one whose way is perfect, leaving us no need to be afraid of anything.
Behold, the one whose loving-kindness replaces all our fears with the bravery of Christ.