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For Fear of the Jews - John 20:19
For Fear of the Jews - John 20:19
John 20:19 19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, "Peace be with you." John spoke of this fear of the Jews 3 other times:
- John 7:13 13 Yet no one was speaking openly of Him for fear of the Jews.
- John 9:22 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.
- John 12:42 42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue;
Such fear was based in reality as the Jewish leaders showed not only in the crucifixion of Jesus but the persecution of the apostles that followed. The response by Jesus? Shalom (peace). Jesus, Lord of Lords and King of Kings, has overcome. We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Rom. 8:37). Even Satan is to be crushed under the feet of Jesus’ followers. BUT, not before a great deal of suffering has occurred.
The temporary problem: we may have to suffer persecution and even die. Such was reoccurring ‘promise’ of the New Testament! Notice this brief sampling of the message of suffering persecution:
- The SUFFERING of Jesus: Luke 24:26, 46; Heb. 2:9-10; Acts 2622-23;
- The SUFFERING of His disciples foretold: John 15:20; 16:1-2, 33; Acts 14:22; Phil. 1:29; 1Thess. 3:3-4, 2Tim. 3:12; 1Pet. 2:20-21;
- The SUFFERING of persecution by the disciples: Acts 5:40-41; 7:58-60; 9:15-16; 20:23; 2Cor. 4:8-11; 6:4-5; 11:23-27
- The Call to FAITHFULNESS: Mark 8:35; 2Tim. 2:11-12; Rev. 2:10;
- The PROMISE of ETERNAL life: John 12:25-26; Phil. 3:20-21; 1Thess. 5:9; 2Cor. 1:5-7; 1Pet. 4:12-16; 5:9-10; Rev. 7:14
For most of us, this is a study in theoretical possibilities. For those of the first century is was an ever-present reality that they had to deal with.
They locked the doors. I am convinced that, while we are encouraged to ‘not fear’, such does not preclude taking precautions. Paul informed the Romans about his impending murder and allowed them to protect him. Paul appealed yet again unto Caesar to avoid the result of a rigged ‘trial’. Even Jesus shows that the promise of God protecting the Messiah was no reason to throw one’s self off of a precipice! But after taking such precautions, we must then be willing to stand!
Facing such with confidence in Jesus and faithfulness to Him as LORD will test our faith! Do we believe that Jesus has the keys of death and hades? Do we believe that he will indeed raise the dead? Do we believe that we have a home prepared with God for eternity? As I read this, about all I can say is “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” How about you? Hugh DeLong
