Mt 17:1-8 - And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
In this account, the fear of God and the command do not fear are placed side by side. Jesus said, “Have no fear” after the three disciples had experienced the fear of God. In this account we see both the awesomeness of God as well as the tenderness of God. May we live within the tension that is illustrated for us, revering God and his might, but also obeying God’s command to not fear.
