It might seem strange to be thinking about being scared, afraid, fearful, and frightened the day after Palm Sunday—picture taken last year. But Holy Week has plenty to be scared about, including a Son’s death.

I scared Emmanuel

Here’s a story from eight years ago.

“Emmanuel! Wait! Stop!” A woman’s frantic shout, and the pit-pat-pit-pat sound of a child’s sandals hitting pavement, came from behind me. I was standing on a busy, New York City street corner, staring at the “do not walk” hand sign but turned to confirm what I suspected was happening.

“Stop, stop! Emmanuel!” yelled the slender young woman, pushing an empty stroller and running desperately. The scampering child, I guessed two years old, stopped on the sidewalk two feet from me. He gazed back at the young woman and tossed his black silky curls. Then his dark eyes widened, and his mouth hinted an impish grin.

“Emmanuel!” the young woman shrieked. She was still several yards away.

He jerked as if to take off running again, this time into the street. I grabbed his baby fat arm then looked at the woman and said, “I’ve got him!”

“No,” he cried, trying to squirm away from me.

The young woman arrived two long seconds later. “Thank you,” she said to me while taking the boy’s hand.

“She scared me,” I heard Emmanuel say to his mother as they walked away.

“You scared me,” she replied. 

Perhaps all very young children run into danger—mine did. How do parents deal with life experiences like this? How did Mary?

Jesus scared Mary

As far as I know, the word “scared” does not appear in Scripture but “fear” and “afraid” appear often. Mary, the mother of Jesus, undoubtedly lived a life filled with challenges and uncertainties, and I suspect she was scared at times, just like Emmanuel’s mother. Remember the story of Jesus the twelve-year-old who stayed behind at the Temple, unbeknownst to his parents. When they discovered him missing, they searched. The story picks up here:

After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2: 41-52

Faith, obedience, and an understanding of her role guided Mary. But I’m more like Emmanuel’s mother. When my young son went missing one late afternoon then finally showed up well after dark, and I asked the inevitable “Where were you?” I-was-so-scared question, he replied, “Oh, Mom. There wasn’t anything to worry about. I knew where I was.”

Did I thank God for protecting him? You bet I did, after fussing at him like Mary fussed at Jesus. 

Now, to the events of Holy Week.

Jesus got scared, too

In the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His betrayal, Jesus fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will,” and yet again “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus, fully human and fully divine, experienced fear. He got scared. A day later, on the cross, He said: “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34—Jesus speaking the words of David from Psalm 22:1.

And then His last words: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46 Words of obedience, not of one who is scared but of someone knows His role in God’s plan.

I wish you a blessed Holy Week and offer another Psalm from David: The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Linkup with Five Minute Friday: https://fiveminutefriday.com/2025/04/10/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-scared/