Emotions and the BibleSample

Fear

For me, the night in Gethsemane is one of the most important moments in Jesus' life. I could even say that it is more important than many of the stories of his miracles.

In Gethsemane, that night Jesus was scared to death because he did not know what was going to happen to him. As God knew the entire plan that his Father had for the redemption of humanity, but as a human being, uncertainty and fear took hold of him. When he said "if it is possible, let this cup pass from me," he did not do so as the normal narrative of a hero who wants to face his destiny resignedly and without fear, but rather he did so with fear and hoping that his Father would listen and answer his prayer. The uncertainty was so great that Jesus asked the same thing three times.

Fear, like other emotions, is functional; it serves as a defense and survival mechanism. Letting ourselves be dominated only by fear in all situations will make us cowards, but the absence of fear makes us reckless and our lives would be constantly in danger. Like Aristotle, I believe that the middle ground between these two extremes is what we must seek, or what this philosopher defined as the place of virtues.

Jesus certainly asks that if it is possible that cup be taken from him, but his prayer to the Father continues: "but first of all, let Your will be done." Jesus was not completely overcome by fear because if he had been, he could have hidden or escaped his destiny. His prayer was very sincere and part of Him knew that his request might not be granted, but he still continued in obedience to God's plan because he knew that all good things come from His Father (although it was not very clear at that moment).

Our example in adverse situations is Jesus himself, being very honest in expressing our fears to God, but in the end trusting that God has everything under control and resting hopefully in His Will.

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