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 “take courage” was 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, Philistines. 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 for different reasons. For instance when there’s risk. Or danger. Chance of failure. Fear. When I just decide to surrender. When I feel like giving up because things are looking hopeless. I already know about courage but I’ve started acting non-courageously – so I need a reminder: ‘now’s not the time to chicken-out’.
Courage is dialing-up the internal propellant that I’ve already got so I can face up to whatever cowardice needs facing up to. Courage doesn’t solve my problem. It pushes 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)