Episode 1180
What If Following Jesus Means Walking Scared?
The salient point of this podcast episode revolves around the profound notion that faith does not necessitate unwavering certainty; rather, it thrives amidst confusion and fear. As we reflect on the New Testament readings from the gospel of Mark, we observe Jesus leading his disciples toward Jerusalem, fully cognizant of the suffering awaiting him. This imagery serves as a poignant reminder that true faith acknowledges the weight of reality while continuing to move forward, even in the face of uncertainty. We highlight two critical points of contemplation: first, the importance of confronting suffering head-on, as exemplified by Jesus, and second, the recognition that doubt and fear are integral facets of the faith journey. Ultimately, we encourage listeners to embrace their apprehensions while taking incremental steps toward their challenges, fostering a resilient and authentic spiritual existence.
Takeaways:
- In our journey of faith, we must acknowledge the inherent uncertainties and fears that accompany our beliefs.
- Jesus exemplifies a profound commitment to confronting suffering, boldly walking towards it rather than avoiding it.
- The disciples, though perplexed and frightened, demonstrate a commendable resilience by continuing to follow Jesus despite their trepidation.
- Progressive Christianity encourages individuals to embrace their doubts and fears while remaining steadfast in their spiritual journey.
- Honesty about the challenges we face is crucial; it fosters a deeper connection with ourselves and others in our communities.
- In moments of fear and uncertainty, we are reminded to take incremental steps forward, trusting in the process of our spiritual path.
Links referenced in this episode:
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
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- A prayer for your day.
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Transcript
Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading.
Speaker B: today from the gospel of Mark: Speaker B:Jesus had a head start on them and they were following, puzzled and not just a little afraid.
Speaker B:He took the 12 and he began to go over what to expect next.
Speaker B:Listen to me carefully.
Speaker B:We're on our way up to Jerusalem.
Speaker B:When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars.
Speaker B:They will sentence him to death.
Speaker B:Then they will hand him over to the Romans, who will mock and spit on him, give him the third degree and kill him.
Speaker B:After three days, he will rise again.
Speaker B:Well, that's the end of the reading here, friends.
Speaker B:It's a brief one today.
Speaker B:Short passage, but just three verses.
Speaker B:But don't let the length fool you here.
Speaker B:There's a whole lot of content here, a whole, whole group of sermons here tucked inside this little moment on the road to Jerusalem.
Speaker B:And I speak to I think it speaks to anyone who's ever followed someone or something they believed in, even when they weren't entirely sure where it was heading.
Speaker B:So two points to ponder here.
Speaker B:First, Jesus walks toward the suffering, not away from it.
Speaker B:And Mark gives us this incredible image that Jesus out ahead of the group and leading the way toward Jerusalem.
Speaker B:He knows exactly what's waiting for him there.
Speaker B:He says it.
Speaker B:He states it.
Speaker B:Betrayal, mockery, death being spit upon.
Speaker B:And he doesn't detour.
Speaker B:He doesn't soften it.
Speaker B:He names every brutal detail plainly.
Speaker B:And what does he do?
Speaker B:He keeps on walking.
Speaker B:And a progressive faith holds on to this tightly because it pushes back on any version of Christianity that avoids hard realities.
Speaker B:See, some traditions want to skip straight to Easter morning without sitting with the Weight of Good Friday, the crucifixion, and.
Speaker B:But Jesus doesn't skip anything.
Speaker B:He walks right into the center of human suffering.
Speaker B:The injustice of a rigged religious system, the violence of an empire, the cruelty of powerful people protecting their power.
Speaker B:And he names it all out loud.
Speaker B:On my cancer podcast, I've learned that one of the most powerful things you can do for someone who's in pain, to simply name what's happening to them without flinching.
Speaker B:People need you to fast forward to the happy ending.
Speaker B:They need you to say, I see what this is, and I'm not looking away.
Speaker B:That's what Jesus does here.
Speaker B:He looks at the road ahead and tells the truth about it.
Speaker B:And that kind of honesty is sacred.
Speaker B:Second point to ponder.
Speaker B:The disciples are puzzled and afraid and.
Speaker B:And yet they keep following.
Speaker B:I love Mark for including that detail.
Speaker B:He doesn't clean it up.
Speaker B:He doesn't say they were full of faith and courage.
Speaker B:He says they were confused and scared and they followed anyway.
Speaker B:That right there is the most honest descriptions of faith I've ever heard, probably or ever read about.
Speaker B:Because it's being real.
Speaker B:That's what faith feels like most of the time, isn't it?
Speaker B:You're not sure where this road is going.
Speaker B:You're not sure if you have what it takes for what's ahead.
Speaker B:You're a little afraid of what, maybe even more than a little afraid about what's next.
Speaker B:And you keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Speaker B:And progressive Christianity makes room for that.
Speaker B:Says you don't need to have all the answers to be a faithful follower.
Speaker B:You don't need to be certain to be committed.
Speaker B:You just need to stay on the road.
Speaker B:So when my wife and I hike in wooded parks, some of the best trails are the ones where you can't see the destination.
Speaker B:Where you're standing, there's a thick canopy of trees, and the path is curvy and windy and hilly.
Speaker B:And you're just trusting that the trail goes to a good place.
Speaker B:And that's kind of what Mark's disciples on the road to Jerusalem are doing.
Speaker B:They're walking behind Jesus, who's leading the way, and they love him, but they don't fully understand him.
Speaker B:Or they're kind of scared of what's coming, but they're not turning back.
Speaker B:And we can also notice that Jesus doesn't shame them for being afraid.
Speaker B:He doesn't say, hey, if you really trusted me, you wouldn't be scared.
Speaker B:He simply says, listen to me carefully.
Speaker B:He meets their fear with honesty, not judgment.
Speaker B:And that's the kind of leadership the world needs.
Speaker B:More of honesty.
Speaker B:Not leaders who demand blind confidence, but leaders who say here's the truth, good, bad or ugly.
Speaker B:It's hard, but stay with me.
Speaker B:I like to follow.
Speaker B:The coach of the Pacers who seems to be is a NA Pacers who has a real knack for stating what is difficult and going on to help them to achieve what needs to be achieved.
Speaker B:Or of a parent walking a kid through something difficult.
Speaker B:The best leaders don't eliminate fear, they walk and do first.
Speaker B:They walk into it first and invite others to follow.
Speaker B:So here's your action step for the day.
Speaker B:Think about something you've been avoiding because it scares you.
Speaker B:A conversation, a decision, a commitment, maybe a medical appointment you keep postponing.
Speaker B:And today take one step toward it.
Speaker B:Just one.
Speaker B:You don't have to arrive at Jerusalem today.
Speaker B:You just have to get back on the road and give yourself permission to be puzzled and afraid while you do it.
Speaker B:That's not weakness.
Speaker B:According to Mark, that's exactly what it looks like.
Speaker B:We're going to come back and have a prayer here in just a second.
Speaker B:But before we do, I just want to remind you we have a great at home Bible study resource for you called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.
Speaker B:Pick it up for free@voiceofgod daily.com let's pray.
Speaker B:God, we're on the road today and honestly, honestly, some of us are scared.
Speaker B:We don't know what's ahead.
Speaker B:We don't fully understand where you're leading us.
Speaker B:Events of the world are making us shake a little bit.
Speaker B:The things we can see coming, they don't always look good.
Speaker B:But here we are, still following you.
Speaker B:Thank you for not shaming us for our fear.
Speaker B:Thank you for being the kind of God who walks ahead of us into the hard stuff instead of sending us out into it alone.
Speaker B:Give us the courage to keep going today.
Speaker B:Not the courage that pretends everything is fine, but the real kind.
Speaker B:The kind that says I'm afraid and I'm still here.
Speaker B:Help us name hard things honestly, the way Jesus did.
Speaker B:Help us to stop skipping to the end easy ending and learn to walk through the difficult middle.
Speaker B:We look around and see each other, scared, puzzled people on the road beside us.
Speaker B:Help us reach over and say, me too.
Speaker B:Let's keep going.
Speaker B:We trust you God.
Speaker B:Even when we can't see around the bend, even when the road goes up, we're on it.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
