Day 297

Matthew 21:12-27; Mark 11:12-33; Luke 19:45-20:8; John 12:37-50. “Fears Relieved”

         The construction of the Golden Gate Bridge had fallen behind schedule because of a number of workers who had fallen to their deaths.  Engineers and administrators could find no solution to the costly delays. Eventually, in spite of the enormous cost, a giant net was installed to catch those who might accidentally fall.  After it was installed, progress on the project was hardly interrupted.  A worker or two fell into the net, but were saved.  Ultimately, all the time lost to fear was regained by replacing fear with faith in the net.
         Knowing that we need not be perfect in order to avoid judgment removes a great fear for the one who understands grace.  Grace is what allowed the tax collectors and prostitutes (Matthew 21:31) of Jesus’ day to be saved.  The Pharisees, on the other hand, lived in constant fear of the law.
         Like the workers on the bridge who no longer feared death resulting from a misstep, the Christian no longer fears the eternal judgment of God for a misstep.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?