Mark 16 Fear

Mark 16:8 says, "Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid." They've just encountered an empty tomb and an angel who has instructed them to tell the disciples. Still, they tell no one "because they were afraid." What exactly are they afraid of? If they are afraid of the angel, then why don't they do what he says? If they are afraid of the guards or the officials, why does that keep them from going privately to tell the disciples? Fear is a strange animal. It pushes us to do things we otherwise would not do, like deny Jesus. It keeps us from doing what we might otherwise do, like run and tell the disciples. It is often irrational and sometimes we can't even say what exactly we're afraid of. But, "perfect love casts out fear" (1Jn 4:18) and "we love Him because He first loved us" (1Jn 4:19). Father, may my love be perfected because your love is perfect. May I walk today in your love rather than in my fear.

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