Posted by PS on November 14, 2002 at 11:09:35:
In Reply to: Murky posted by jason on November 14, 2002 at 10:03:06:
: : : But did Jesus live in FEAR of death? Or did he live in acceptance of death and the saving Grace that came along with it? He knew what was coming...and being who He is, He may have been able to transcend all the human type fear of death and impending agony and look forward to being able to save all of us.
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: : I don't think Jesus lived in fear of any kind. He taught against fearing anything but God; God alone is to be reverenced. He wouldn't be much of a messiah if he couldn't even keep his own teaching.
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: I have always thought of "FEAR" as somber respect. Not necessarily the feeling someone has when frightened. I had a flash of "FEAR" or serious acknowledgement of mortality... We are frail; we cannot see things as they truly are (we can recognize, but our perception is somewhat skewed). I want to stay conscious of this feeling... perhaps "FEAR" was the wrong word... or perhaps I see God when I anticipate my own end...
: Regardless... I should've chosen my words a little more carefully, and taken time to reread that post... thanks for calling me out like that!
: J
I would say that Jesus lived in full acceptance of his anointing to die. On this we agree.
I don't think He lived in fear of His impending death. On this we agree.
I'm not sure how much Jesus respected the power of death, because He knew He had power over it. But we indeed soberly respect the power of death, because we do not have power over it; we do not have the power of life in ourselves, and we are trusting (imperfectly) in God's power and plan to raise us. This feeling of mortality is also something I, like you, want to stay conscious of in my life, as it prompts me to live in hope of God's promises and in His power. :-)