When the Unknown is Understood

Grace for All

Do Not Fear

(Our Theme for June)

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. (Matthew 28:5)

You walk up and find an angel. The angel says, “do not be afraid.” Would you be afraid?

We have all experienced fear. The increased heart rate. The desire to fight or to flee. When something unexpected happens, there is a moment when we react to the unknown. In that moment, the best and the worst things happen. There is only a moment. A moment that is often so quick we don’t think. We react.

How long does it take us to not be afraid? How long does it take us to see the risen Jesus? How long?

How long does it take me to trust? How long does it take me to react in love and not fear? How long? On my best day, I see the risen Jesus in the people I interact with. On my worst day I don’t look. I am blind.

As the women turn away to leave the empty tomb, they see Jesus and worship at his feet. I wonder what I would have done if I had been at the open tomb. Would I have run in fear? Would I have listened? I have no idea. I will never know. But, in the moments of my life when I am faced with the unexpected, my faith is that Jesus will be with me, and I will not be blind. My hope is that I will react in love and not fear. My prayer is that I will listen and understand because then the unknown becomes the understood. And isn’t that what we all want to be? Understood?

Today and every day I pray for understanding. Pray with me that we may stay. Stay to see. Stay to listen. I pray that we stay calm, stay and listen, stay and help. Turn and worship at the feet of the risen Christ and do not be afraid.

Peace be with you, and Christ be with you and all of those you encounter today.

This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Sally Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [e-mail].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.