evening fear

In the cool of the day, the LORD God walked in the garden and the man and his wife hid in fear from him. Sin had spoiled the world.

In John 20:19ff, it is evening once more and again there is fear - but this time of men, not the Lord. A fear that the same fate will befall the disciples that had befallen their beloved Master. And then he's there, among them, speaking words of peace. No longer is there any need for evening fear, because sin has been dealt with and death has been conquered.

He shows them his hands and his side, the evidence of being so recently slaughtered. And their response to such a sight, to such a devastating display of the horrors of death and the mauling meted out by sin and evil? They are overjoyed because the one they see, the one whose ruptured side and battered hands are in full view, is the LORD.

Far from denying his lordship, these marks are the crown he wears, the vindication of his reign, the symbols of victory.

And the reason why evening fear - all fear - can be banished forever.