Do you remember the way that Scripture describes our enemy Satan?
Our enemy has to primary battle tactics that he likes to use against us: discouragement and fear. He wants you to focus so hard on your past mistakes that you can't see your future. That is why the word calls him the "accuser of the brethren." He wants you and I to be so utterly paralyzed with fear that we don't venture out. He wants us to react and be defensive at all times. That is why Peter described him as a prowling lion.
Jesus never ran away from the enemy when He faced him in battle. He walked into the "lion's den" of the temple even when He already knew that the leaders of the day wanted Him dead. He walked up the man full of demons and cast them into the pigs nearby. Even when the mob came to arrest him and take him away, did Jesus run and hide? Absolutely not! He stood His ground and faced them down. Scripture tells me that He stepped forward and immediately identified who He was.
Even when His life was on the line, Jesus refused to defend Himself or remove Himself from his accusers. If He had wanted to, He could have spoken only a word and they would have released Him immediately. But He chose instead to keep His mouth closed, obey His Father, and go to the cross.
Talk about the epitome of courage. Courage is knowingly putting yourself into a defensive position. That same courage is what put Daniel in the lion's den and put Esther walking into the King's presence without his permission and it is what put Jesus up on the cross.
So what are we afraid of? Why do we live our lives like we are completely defenseless? Jesus wasn't defenseless when He died on the cross. Sure, Caesar had legions at his disposal but Jesus had angels at His command. But Jesus wasn't defenseless. He could have saved Himself at anytime but He didn't because He was trying to save me and you. He has courage when we don't.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary
the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1st Peter 5:8 ESV
Jesus never ran away from the enemy when He faced him in battle. He walked into the "lion's den" of the temple even when He already knew that the leaders of the day wanted Him dead. He walked up the man full of demons and cast them into the pigs nearby. Even when the mob came to arrest him and take him away, did Jesus run and hide? Absolutely not! He stood His ground and faced them down. Scripture tells me that He stepped forward and immediately identified who He was.
Even when His life was on the line, Jesus refused to defend Himself or remove Himself from his accusers. If He had wanted to, He could have spoken only a word and they would have released Him immediately. But He chose instead to keep His mouth closed, obey His Father, and go to the cross.
Talk about the epitome of courage. Courage is knowingly putting yourself into a defensive position. That same courage is what put Daniel in the lion's den and put Esther walking into the King's presence without his permission and it is what put Jesus up on the cross.
So what are we afraid of? Why do we live our lives like we are completely defenseless? Jesus wasn't defenseless when He died on the cross. Sure, Caesar had legions at his disposal but Jesus had angels at His command. But Jesus wasn't defenseless. He could have saved Himself at anytime but He didn't because He was trying to save me and you. He has courage when we don't.
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