How fear turns to worship

Lk 24:36-53 - As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

This is a beautiful picture of the transformation of fear, from the fear of something that can hurt them to a fear of the One of who loves them. We know from the other gospel accounts that the disciples ran away and left Jesus, and then after He died, they hid for fear of the authorities. Here in the midst of their fear, Jesus shows up, and speaks to that fear with reassuring and loving words, "Peace be to you." Peace is the absence of strife and inner conflict, doubts and trouble. When we truly fear God, we will be at peace. We are only not at peace, when we give something or someone else more power than God. Jesus wants them at peace and when they are not, instead of rebuking them, shows them his body, eats with them and than speaks words of blessing to them. This change from fearing something to fearing God is described in the last line, "And they worshiped him and returned with great joy and were continually in the temple blessing God." This describes a person who fears God only. A person who fears God will worship him as they are the only One worth worshiping. They will have great joy. They will bless God. Where fear ceases worship, joy and blessing, fearing God is the way to worship, joy and blessing.

What is it in your life that you have given more power or strength or worship to other than God? Do you fear the economy collapsing? Do you fear sickness or being hurt? Do you fear anything more than God? Press into Jesus, and let him replace your doubts with joy, and your fears with worship.