Fear-Motivator or Deterrent?
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4
The eleven disciples had watched Jesus ascend back to heaven in a cloud. I don’t know how they felt, but I suspect they were frightened to realize that Jesus had left them to accomplish a great work for Him, but wasn’t going to be there in person to lead them. In a simple illustration, it would be like a surgeon in training who is left to perform surgery solo without his mentor present. However, the disciples were not going to be left without One to guide them.
When they left the Mt. of Olives after saying goodbye to Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem, gathering into an upper room. I am sure they were also frightened of the authorities. If the religious leaders persecuted Jesus, they would certainly persecute them. They had a first line of defense, though. They could pray. They then had to select a man to fill the spot vacated by the traitor Judas Iscariot. They selected two, prayed to God to guide them, and picked Matthias as the twelfth disciple. There were two qualifications that the candidate must have met: he had to have been a follower of Christ since the beginning of His ministry and have been a witness to the resurrection (Acts 1:22).
A few days after Jesus’ ascension back to His Father in heaven, the day of Pentecost came, fifty days after Passover. The disciples were gathered and the sound of a mighty rushing wind from heaven filled the room. Then cloven (split) tongues like fire sat on each one of the twelve filling them with the Holy Spirit and giving them the ability to speak in other languages so that their mission of spreading the gospel to other peoples could be accomplished. I don’t know but what the disciples might have been ashamed that they were fearful. I think they realized then that Jesus would not leave them without a helper, the Holy Spirit.
Fear can either motivate us to action or deter us from action leading us to cower in fear of whatever we deem as a threat to our peace and safety. I have been hearing on the news and reading on line that folks are becoming fearful of basically opening their mouths and stating their opinions for fear of being attacked verbally or even physically. The disciples, emboldened by the infilling of the Holy Spirit, didn’t let fear stop them from the mission that Jesus left for them to accomplish. Those of us who have the Holy Spirit within must also be bold in proclaiming the truth of the gospel. Whether the ungodly will listen to us or not, God will hold us accountable to witness for Him, but He will also hold them accountable for their response or lack thereof.