Week 35 - Fear Not
“When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost.” (Mark 6:49)
A week ago, someone asked me about ghosts. I could not tell him much because I have not encountered one myself. It is no surprise that the subject of ghostology is being brought up at this time of the year. Some people believe that ghosts, who apparently are departed spirits, venture back to the world at this time of the year.
Hungry Ghost Festival
Section titled “Hungry Ghost Festival”The seventh month in the Chinese calendar is designated as the Hungry Ghost Festival. Some people advise against buying a house or embarking on a new business venture this month as it is considered inauspicious. An article in The Straits Times revealed that “the market for new property launches has slowed this month but should see a rebound after the Hungry Ghost Festival ends.” Couples tend to avoid getting married during this period for fear that unpleasant things might happen to them if they were to do so.
The belief in ghosts results in a tradition of paying respects to the dead and believing that during this month, the “Gates of Hell” are opened and the souls of the dead are freed and allowed to roam the earth. The ancient Celts believed that the border between our world and the Otherworld is dissolved on Samhain (a festival held on October 31 to November 1), allowing spirits from the Otherworld to pass through into our world. The Halloween of today has its root in the Samhain. The belief in ghosts can be found in every culture. The longing of humanity to seek an answer to the whereabouts of those who have passed on has resulted in the hope that somehow, someday, the living and the dead can be reconnected again.
Ghosts in this sense are representing a hope of an after-life. This hope creates a drive to search for answers. There has been an increased interest in the world today in the “New Age” movement. One popular “New Age” group offers a course to assist in making contact with those who have passed on.
The Bible teaches that when a person dies, his or her spirit will go to the spiritual realm, never to return to this world again. It also teaches that there are two destinations (heaven and hell) that await humanity. The Apostle Paul confidently declares that anyone who puts their trust in Jesus will be with the Lord in heaven, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (
No Crossing Over
Section titled “No Crossing Over”Once, Jesus told a story to teach the people that there is no crossing over from hell to heaven. About the man in hell, Jesus said, “In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us’” (
One evening, when the disciples of Jesus were crossing the lake in a boat, a storm came. Jesus saw them straining at the oars and came walking on the lake towards them. When they saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. This incident is recorded in
The fear of ghosts is real for some people. As believers, we need not fear. We have God’s truth to guide and assure us. The Bible is clear about two things relating to life after death. Firstly, the dead do not return. Secondly, those who died in the Lord will be with Him in heaven forever.
Let us ask the Lord for wisdom and strength to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to those we know. Can you think of someone to share the gospel with this week?