Exam wishes and Happy Holidays!

The MBS Chapel team extends our warm wishes to those of you taking exams and ”Happy Holidays” to the MBS Chapel congregation! May God bless and guide you during your year-end break!

 

 

 

Understanding Fear

“Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate… leads to suffering.”
Yoda, Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (1999)

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Luke 12:5 (NIV)

There are some people who scoff at fear. Some think that fear is cowardly, and most people are embarassed to admit they are fearful. At the other extreme, there are those who are completely paralyzed by fear.

Jesus knew and understood fear when he saw it. He was compassionate when he saw fear that was genuine and understandable.

When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Mathew 14:26-27

Similarly, this reassurance can be seen in Matthew 17:7.

And in some cases, Jesus forewarned of future fearful events so that His disciples’ fear may be lessened.
When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
Luke 21:9

On the other hand, Jesus was firm on faithless fear: See Matthew 8:26.

Fear is a natural response to danger and uncertainty. Jesus does not condemn fear, but fear must not be allowed to lead us down the path of sin. A powerful illustration can be seen in the movie Star Wars – the evil chancellor Palpatine continually used fear as an instrument to bend Anakin to his dark will. In the real world, we see a lot of similar foolishness when people place their faith in people, practices and objects as opposed to basing their faith on the one true God.

In this world we will face anxious moments. Jesus himself knew this, hence He gives us His word:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

To claim to be without fear is simple naivete at best. God placed fear in our hearts for valid reasons – that we may avoid stepping into places we should not go. When we are afraid, cry out to the Lord; cling on His word, in hope and depending on His grace – for none can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus Amen!

Shalom.

Blessed are the peacemakers

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

A peacemaker is someone who brings about peace, often by settling disputes or reconciling people to one another. These people are rare. More often than not, humankind excels in division; preferring to focus on differences rather than common ground.

The present age is one of pronounced individuality which sometimes borders on arrogance. Then there are those who would divide others for personal gain. Divisiveness, quarrels, conflict and bitterness abound in both religious and secular societies – these were common in the days of the apostles and these are common today (1 Cor 12:25; James 4:1-2).

What are the attributes of a good peacemaker? Four key attributes come to mind:

1. Authority (Hebrews 13:7)
2. Respectability (1 Timothy 3:7)
3. Empathy (Phillipians 2:1-4)
4. Wisdom (James 3:17-18)

As always, the attributes listed above are not exhaustive. Smaller disputes may not require all the listed attributes while comlex conflicts may require other attributes in addition to the four listed above. For the purposes of our discussion, the four are listed as starting points for our journey as peacemakers.

There is a great need for peacemakers today – people of various backgrounds who seek only to turn those in conflict back to God.

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:18

Shalom.