When Fear and Joy Come Together

I can only find two occasions in God’s word where the words “fear” and “joy” are found together in the same verse. They do appear in the same context but not necessarily in the same verse. At the announcement of Christ’s birth to a bunch of humble shepherds the angel of the Lord said “Fear not! I bring you good tidings of great joy to all people.” After the resurrection of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and another Mary left the tomb with “fear and joy.” I think it is significant that “fear and joy” come together these two times in the gospel account. They serve as bookends to the greatest story ever told. They still come together when we see God at work in our lives. Fear and joy meet in the incarnation. Fear and joy meet at the resurrection. Fear and joy meet in the invitation to come to Jesus. Think on these things!