Magis Catholic

When I reflect on all the things that I fear, these are usually borne out of my survival instinct: I fear deep waters because I might drown. I fear heights because I might fall. I fear crossing roads because I might get run over by a speeding car. Biologically, fear is a mechanism that has taught me what I need to avoid in order to stay alive.

Another source of fear is a lack of understanding. I fear the future because of what it might have in store for me. I fear travelling alone in another country because I am unaware of their language or their culture.

These two needs – survival and security – result to the emotion that is fear.

At the sight of God, our first response is often fear. I think that the reason for this is because of the exact two things that I mentioned above: We fear the judgment of God that is said to lead to death and condemnation (but we want to live). We also fear God because we do not understand His mysterious nature, which is simply beyond our grasp (and so we question and we refuse to believe). 

God, who is Love Himself, knows these things. And so He came down from heaven to meet us where we are. 

God could have chosen to enter human history in countless other magnificent ways, instead He sent His Son who came in the form of a baby who was born in a lowly manger. God entered into human history amidst the dirt, the noise, and the confusion of it all.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

He met us where we are, and when He did, He came bearing the face of a newborn. Who can be afraid of a newborn child? A baby’s face invites love, gratitude, and presence from its beholder. God’s love is outpouring and overwhelming such that He came to share our frail human experience. God shared in our needs, our relationships, our daily work and chores, our emotions. God revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. – John 14:9

Because Christ came to fulfill God’s promise of salvation, we begin to understand God. Jesus casts out all our fear because He did not come to bear the judgment of God. He came bearing the mercy of God.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

– John 3:17

Through the life and works of Jesus Christ, God revealed His love for us by healing us from our sicknesses and brokenness, and for dying on the cross to save us from our sins. Because of God’s perfect love made manifest through the sacrifice of His Son, we are now able to come to God in love.

Many times in the Bible, Jesus assures us: 

It is I. Do not be afraid. – John 6:20

Because of Christ, we can approach God without fear. He comes to meet us where we are. He comes to us in love. He comes to us with an open hand, healing our sicknesses and forgiving our sins.