Tuesday, August 25, 1998
Tuesday, August 25, 1998
But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
( Mark 9:32
NRSV)
The legendary Knute Rockne of Notre Dame knew the power of fear. Today we call it "psyching
out your opponent." Notre Dame was facing a critical football game against a vastly superior
Southern California team. Rockne recruited every brawny student he could find at Notre Dame
and suited up about a hundred "hulks" in the school uniform. On the day of the game the Southern
California team ran out on the field first and awaited the visiting Fighting Irish. Then, out of the
dressing room came an army of green giants who kept on coming and coming. The USC team
panicked. Their coach reminded them that Rockne could only play eleven men at a time, but the
damage was done. USC lost. They did not lose to the hundred men. They were beaten by their
own fear.
There were times when the disciples were fearful in Jesus' presence. In Mark chapter 9, Jesus
tries to tell his disciples that he must be crucified but after three days he will rise. Mark tells us
that they did not understand what he was talking about, "but they were afraid to ask him."
What is it about Jesus that we are fearful about? Are we willing to turn those fears over to God
and give ourselves fully to service through Jesus Christ?
Prayer: God of peace, I give you my fear. Please replace it with a fuller commitment to
Jesus Christ. Amen.
Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA