River, Do Not Be Afraid

At the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized, His public ministry began.

Yesterday we visited the Jordan River, where the Lord Jesus was baptized and where His public ministry began. There, we celebrated the Armenian Blessing of the Water Service and sang the ancient hymn Ov Zarmanali (“O Wondrous Mystery”), which gently places these words on the lips of our Lord: “River, do not be afraid. It is I, your Creator. I have come to be baptized and to wash away sins.”

Picture that moment. The river is shaken. Creation itself feels awe and fear. The waters know who is coming toward them. This is not just a man stepping into the Jordan. This is the Creator of heaven and earth. The One who made the rivers now stands before them. And the river is afraid.

But Jesus speaks with kindness: “Do not be afraid.” When Jesus comes close, fear loses its power. He does not come to accuse or condemn. He comes to bring peace. He does not come to shame us. He comes to heal and restore us. That is who God is.

Many of us are like that river. On the surface, everything may look fine. But deep inside, there is fear. Fear of what lies ahead. Fear from past mistakes. Fear that we are not good enough or that we have failed too many times. We think God comes to us ready to point out our faults.

And yet, when the Lord Jesus comes near, His first word is reassurance: “Do not be afraid.” He steps into the water to comfort, not to condemn. To wash away sin, not to expose it. To calm creation, not to frighten it.

Lord Jesus steps into the waters of our lives the same way He stepped into the Jordan. He does not wait for the water to become pure. He does not ask the river to clean itself first. He enters the water as it is, and His presence makes it holy.

So if you feel afraid today, it does not mean God is far away. It may mean He is very near. Let Him speak to your heart: “Do not be afraid. It is I.” Let Him wash away what is heavy on your soul. Let Him calm what is shaking inside you. Let Him turn fear into faith, doubt into trust, and shame into joy.