Week 24 Matthew 9
When a paralyzed man was brought to Jesus the first words out of the Lord’s mouth were: take courage. Other versions say things like don’t worry. Or take heart. One says cheer up (which seems weak). Another one says be strong (buck up!).
Courage isn’t mentioned very often in the bible – about 15 times each in the NT and the OT. The very first time the expression “take courage” is used was when Israel brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle. The Philistine soldiers were a bit spooked at first so their leaders shouted: take courage and be men. And that’s how the expression is used fairly often. That prompt to Have-Courage works as a reminder. Take courage or be strong is a kind of “You Can Do It!” catalyst.
Courage needs to be coaxed out when there’s risk. Or danger. Or chance of failure. Or fear. When I’m thinking that no action is the easiest route. When I get that giving-up-because-it’s-hopeless feeling. I already know – theoretically – about courage but I lapse into non-courageous mode. So I need a reminder: ‘don’t chicken-out’.
Courage is dialing-up my internal propellant so I can face up to whatever cowardliness that needs facing up to. Courage doesn’t make my fear disappear. But it nudges me forward instead of letting me give up or run away.
Note: quotes from Matthew 9:2 (NASB CEV NIV GW Orthodox Jewish Bible) 1 Samuel 4:9 (NASB)