Several days later [the governor] Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

–Acts 24:24-25 (TNIV)

Luke points us to an important phenomenon here. Felix’s reaction is quite typical of people when they meet Jesus but are only marginally interested in him. When the profane meets the holy, it always becomes acutely aware of its profanity (and we are all profane to one extent or another). In this case, Felix’s awareness of all that he was called to be but wasn’t caused him to be afraid.

But Jesus tells us not to be afraid because he wants to heal us and give us life. He doesn’t want to see us choose to be permanently alienated from the Source of all life. But he can only do that when we are willing to put to death in us all that keeps us separated and alienated from him. This is what Jesus meant when he tells us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow him. Felix was afraid because he knew that he wanted to follow his own desires–desires that would surely lead to death–more than One who could give him life. He wasn’t willing to do what it takes to follow the Lord of Life. Deep down he understood he was making a dumb choice and that is what made him afraid.

What are you afraid of these days?