Fear is Natural, not Sinful

Q: If fear is a sin and a bad thing, wasn't Jesus fearful before crucifixion when he prayed?

A: Thank you for such an interesting question. It is a beautiful morning as you paddle out on your surfboard to catch a few waves. As your floating on your board, waiting for the perfect wave, you spot the dorsal fin of a Great White Shark break the surface of the water. Are you afraid? You are awakened in the middle of the night by glass shattering. Then you hear the door to your home open up. A stranger is in your house! Are you afraid? Finally, you know that tomorrow you will be betrayed, abandoned by your closest friends, arrested, flogged, beaten beyond recognition, mocked by your abusers, nailed to a wooden cross and left to die an agonizing death. Are you afraid? The first two examples happen everyday in this world. Nobody would question an individual for being afraid of encountering a man-eating shark or a criminal breaking into their home. The last example is exactly what happened to Jesus Christ. It is understandable and natural to be afraid when your life is in danger. Fear, by itself, is not sinful. In many ways, it is a blessing given to us by God to keep us safe and alert us of impending danger. Therefore, Jesus expressing fear prior to His crucifixion is not sinful, but a natural response we all would have given the circumstances. Besides, if Jesus is guilty of sin, then He is not God and, thus, the entire foundation of the Christian faith crumbles with His fear.

There are many different types of fear. As mentioned, there is the fear that accompanies potential harm or loss. There is the fear of the Lord. "The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor (Proverbs 15:33)." This type of fear is not a sin. It is the fear that comes with confronting and acknowledging the awesome power of our God. It is a fear that is acceptable and appreciated by God. The Lord provides for those who fear Him (Psalm 34:9). The Lord's love is with those who fear Him (Psalm 103:17). The Lord has compassion on those who fear Him (Psalm 103:13). The Lord fulfills the desires of those who fear Him (Psalm 145:19). The Lord watches over those who fear Him (Psalm 33:18). The Lord protects those who fear Him (Psalm 34:7). All of these are manifested in Jesus Christ. Through faith in Christ, a Christian receives the life of God. We have received the Lord's compassion because Jesus Christ died to take away our sins for eternity. It is in His life that the deepest desires of our heart for unconditional love, total acceptance, meaning and purpose to life are met. God watches over a Christian by guiding us from within as we trust in and depend on Him in our daily walk as we rest in His love. He protects us by giving us the mind of Christ that helps us make better decisions in our lives.

There are other forms of fear that could be called a sin, but they are not of God. A Christian, in order to avoid suffering for Christ, could be afraid to share the Gospel with others. But, the Lord has addressed this in His Word. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)." The "spirit" we do have is the Holy Spirit of God. It is His love, power and the mind of Christ that empowers us to share the Gospel. There is the fear that comes with the false belief that God is still judging us for our sins and will punish us when we sin. However, the truth is contrary to that belief. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:18)." God could not indwell us and we could not be the recipient of His unconditional love if anything, including our sins, separated us from Him. If a Christian believes God is punishing them for their sins or will punish them for their sins, they do not believe God loves them. Therefore, Christians should be encouraged that God has taken away their sins forever, indwells them forever, loves them unconditionally and will never leave them because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is the love of God that drives out fear.

"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will (Matthew 26:39).” Here is the passage you are asking about in your question. There are two important things to remember when reading this passage. First, Jesus Christ was 100% man and 100% God. In His humanity, He experienced the fear we humans are faced with in our lives. Thus, it makes perfect sense for Him to struggle with the task ahead of Him. However, "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15)." Jesus faced the same fears we face, but did not sin. Secondly, take notice of the conclusion Jesus reached. He said, "not as I will, but as you will." Despite His fear, He trusted God the Father to see Him through His task. A lesson we should all learn as we walk in life. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4)."Remember, as Christians, we are not immune to fear, but we have a God who goes with us in the midst of our circumstances. So, while we may fear the "valley of death" in our lives, we have a God who goes with us through them. Grace and Peace.