[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during April 2026]
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4 v18 [ESVUK]
During a recent conversation around the parable of the prodigal son,[1] the focus turned to the feelings of the younger son after he recognised his plight. He had lost everything – his wealth, his friends, his self-respect, even the very means of providing for himself.
I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”
Luke 15 v18 [ESVUK]
As he journeyed home, was he fearful, not knowing his father’s reaction, not knowing whether he could even be accepted as a servant in the household that he had rejected? Was he expecting a reproach, a reprimand or even a rejection?
When fear is present, love can start to feel conditional, fragile – more about control than freedom. Are there times when realise that we too have been foolish, even sinful? Are we, too, fearful of the reaction if God finds out?
His father didn’t receive him that way. He restored him as a son. Surely that is the God we should resonate with – not one who inspires fear, but one who restores identity.
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Luke 15 v24 [ESVUK]
The older brother represents a different mindset – one where love feels earned, conditional, careful, even fearful of being lost. He felt that his efforts on behalf of his father had not been recognised and now this wastrel had come back for a second bite at the cherry. The robe, the ring, the shoes and the calf were all part of the elder brother’s inheritance – it is not surprising that resentment was growing.
Are we resentful when we see ne’er-do-wells doing rather well? Are we tempted to echo Jeremiah’s complaint?
Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
Jeremiah 12 v1 [ESVUK]
The older brother lost the plot when he allowed his resentment to blind him to the father’s demonstration of love. Do our prejudices prevent us from seeing the bigger picture?
But we digress …
The most repeated command in the Bible appears in different formats such as ‘do not fear’, ‘fear not’, ‘be not afraid’[2]. It instructs us to not be fearful in the sense of feelings of distress, apprehension, or alarm caused by impending danger or pain. However, we recall that ‘fear’ has more one definition – it can also mean respect, reverence, awe and worship. These words of Job reflect this latter meaning:
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.
Job 28 v28 [ESVUK]
Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?
Job 4 v6 [ESVUK]
References:
[1] Thanks to George Boghian whose comments led to this reflection
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO_9RRPOlhw
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Last week’s reflection: Feeling Thirsty?
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys