As I read the stories of Zechariah, Mary and the shepherds' encounters with angels, I cannot help but notice that they were all frightened by the arrival of God's messengers. Throughout the Old Testament, we see the call to have the "fear of the Lord". We find it in Psalms, Proverbs and many of the prophets as they call for repentance.
But this is the New Testament, the time for the New Covenant. Surely fear has no place here. And yet, here it is. God sends his messenger with words of hope and joy, but the first response of those hearing it is to be afraid. Why is this so?
Is it because, in that moment, when we look upon one who has seen God's face and has stood in His Presence, that we can no longer fool ourselves into believing that we are righteous, good...holy? Is it because the charade of thinking we are invincible, gifted, capable, strong and wise turns to dust in the light of the Infinite? Is it the recognition that we cannot hide who we truly are; our sinful hearts and weaknesses laid bare? Is it the knowledge that He who made us can also unmake us? Is it the recognition of our true reality: that He is God and we are not? With all of that façade stripped away, who would not feel fear?
But where is my fear and trembling? Do I truly believe that over the last 2,000 years Christians have evolved past that fear? 1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love drives out fear. Does this mean we just skip the fear and go right to the warm and fuzzy? It seems easier that way. I don't want to think about fearing God. We fear car accidents, criminals and earthquakes. We fear illness, unemployment and being alone. Our finite fears are terrifying and we do not want to associate that terror with God, Love made flesh. So we jump to "Do not be afraid Zechariah, Mary, shepherds. There is good news!" We simply skip this gut reaction, this heart pounding, legs trembling, take our breath away fear that just the presence of God's messenger inspires.
But there is a difference between our human fears that John speaks of in his letter and the fear of the Lord. And the fear of the Lord still belongs. He is God: Almighty, Lord of All, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Lord Mighty in Battle, Creator of all things...The Great I AM. We, who are the created, made from dust and who will return to the dust, should fear and tremble because we know what we deserve. We are not wrong to have the fear of the Lord. It is holy fear. When we truly look at our own hearts, our response should be like Isaiah's:
"Woe to me, for I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips..." (Isaiah 6:5)
The good news is that God does not leave us in our fear. The messenger says, "Do not be afraid." This is not another human being, not even an heroic one like a police officer or fire fighter, saying these words. Gabriel, the messenger of the Lord, says to Zechariah: "I stand in the presence of God and I have been sent to tell you this good news." (Lk. 1:19) Gabriel speaks for God and God says, "Do not be afraid." We are not getting what we deserve. In fact, we are receiving just the opposite: a savior, perfect Love made flesh, who will dwell among us and save us.
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will be for all the people. Today, in the city
of David, a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Lk. 2:10-11)
Perfect love drives out all fear.
Father God, please help me to leave aside my pride and arrogance in order to recognize holy fear. But help me also, to live into your words of hope and love and spread them far and wide: "Do not be afraid. I am here." Amen.
