We've
looked at two other root issues that the Gospel is designed to deal with,
guilt/innocence and shame/honor. Now, we're ready for the third, fear. One
consequence of sin is fear.
We
see fear in Genesis 3 just as we saw guilt and shame.
And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the
garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the
presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called
to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of
you in the garden, and I was afraid,
because I was naked, and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:8-10
Adam
and Eve hid from God because they were afraid. They were afraid of God. This is
so different from what Adam and Eve
enjoyed before. It marks one of the consequences of their sin.
The
Gospel understands this. And that's why it teaches that Jesus has come so that
we might be freed from our fears.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he
himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might
destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all
those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews
2.14-15
We
are surrounded by people who are afraid. And that is so very understandable.
It's a consequence of their sin. What they need to hear is that Jesus has come
to rescue them from the slavery of fear. So, just as some people will respond
well when the Gospel is presented in terms of freedom from guilt or of shame,
there are those who will listen to the Gospel if it is presented in terms of
freedom from fear.