John 12:14-15

Here we see how minutely the prophecies concerning Christ’s first coming were fulfilled – every step of the triumphal progress prearranged. Predicted by Zechariah five hundred years prior, our Lord enters Jerusalem riding on the colt of a donkey – coming in righteousness and having salvation. Jesus’ earthly career was predicted and written down with precise accuracy. Our Lord slowly but steadily enters Jerusalem - surely with such expressions of graciousness and gentleness as to greatly woo and encourage His subjects, coming as the “Prince of Peace”. In the ancient Near East, if a king entered in peace he would ride upon a donkey instead of a war stallion. The prophet Zechariah tells us:

9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zech 9:9 (NIV)

Interestingly, in the above prophecy they are told to “rejoice greatly” and in our verses for today, the “Daughter of Zion” – representing the whole nation of Israel - are told “Do not be afraid” rather they were to gaze upon her King. Unbelieving fear is a sure enemy of spiritual joys if it is not dealt with and conquered. Fear sets our hearts trembling and our knees knocking. It is cured by constantly fixing our eyes on Jesus.

“The only fear a Christian should entertain is the fear of sin. All other fears are from Satan sent to confuse and weaken us. How often the Lord reiterated to His disciples, ‘Be not afraid!’” Isobel Kuhn

Over and over Scripture tells us where our gaze should remain. Man does not possess achieving power apart from God. I am reminded in Scripture where all of King David’s men had turned on him due to a devastatingly worldly loss. In their deep desperation, they even desired to stone David yet he chose to strengthen himself with proper focus:

3 When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David's two wives had been captured--Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. 1 Sam 30:3-6 (NIV)

King David also writes in Psalm 141 his secret to overcoming fear in his life:

8 But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge--do not give me over to death. Psalms 141:8 (NIV)

In like manner, the writer of Hebrews encourages us with the following words regarding the direction of our gaze so as to keep us from losing heart:

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:2-3 (NIV)

“If I could hear Christ praying for me...I would not fear a million enemies.” Anonymous

I am reminded of Peter’s experience of walking (then sinking) on water. When he saw Jesus standing on the waters, Peter desired to get out of the boat and join Him. Jesus invited him to come. As long as his eye was fixed on the Lord, Peter was above the water yet when his gaze dropped to his circumstances – the wind and waves – he became afraid and began to sink:

25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Matt 14:25-31 (NIV)

Fear is great at paralyzing (and sinking) us and Satan is very much aware of that. Our Lord desires for us not to be anxious about anything – constantly turning everything over in trust to Him. Paul tells us in Philippians:

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (NIV)

“Want of trust is at the root of almost all our sins and all our weaknesses, and how shall we escape it but by looking to Him and observing His faithfulness. The man who holds God’s faithfulness will not be foolhardy or reckless, but will be ready for every emergency.” Hudson Taylor