Have No Fear

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Matthew 10:26

So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

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This chapter appears worlds away from the common experience of American Christians. Jesus gives directions for his Twelve apostles to go out for an itinerant ministry of healing and teaching. He then gives his second teaching discourse, focusing on the eventual persecution to be faced by the early church. Let's first consider the potential causes of fear in the persecuted believers, then we will look at the command to "have no fear," and the motivating reasons that can keep us from fear in the face of trials.

(1) The Potential for Fear in the midst of Persecution.

Jesus sends out his followers and says that our experience in the world will be like "sheep amongst wolves." We are surrounded by fearful dangers, a world that is essentially in opposition to the claims of Christ and His kingdom. We are told to "beware of men" who will drag believers into court, make false accusations, and deliver some to death. The history of the early church which we now know is filled with these kinds of stories. And, the unfortunate reality is that this kind of danger continues to face believers all over the world. (Check out www.persecution.com for a clear picture of this present reality).

This chapter carries a heavy tone about it, and it should be clear to the reader that this persecution is a heart-breaking byproduct of the universal curse of sin which has infected every person on the planet. Our world is broken, from the actions of nations to the inner thoughts of the smallest child. We carry in us the very image of God (Gen 1:26-27), but it has been torn and tattered through generations of self-worship (see Rom. 1 for a rundown of the effects of sin on the world).

Topping off all this human wickedness, Jesus comes with a sword (10:34), perhaps an allusion to the intrinsically offensive character of the call to repentance. My own speculation is that the "sword" is something like a scalpel, and that the household dissensions caused by the gospel can be likened to the pain of surgery. The Physician has entered a wounded humanity with a message that is sharper than any two-edged sword, which divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, "discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). It is only through such pain that healing and salvation can come.

What courage do we have in ministry in the midst of this broken and dangerous world?

(2) Motivations to Have No Fear

Jesus does not leave us in despair concerning the persecution that will surely come to his followers. Verses 26-33 especially give us a list of reasons to "have no fear" in our ministry to those around us.

Justice will eventually be done. "For nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be revealed" (10:26). We are to have no fear in our trials because we know the truth that God is judge and will bring everyone to account for their every word and deed. All injustice will be uncovered at the final judgment. We can have real courage in the face of persecution because we know that God is just and will vindicate his adopted children.

Our enemies cannot kill the soul. "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (10:28). We are to have no fear in our trials because we know the truth that our souls are eternally secure, preserved by the almighty hands of our Maker and Redeemer. Rather, we are to have a proper fear of God, who can kill the soul as well as the body. This may be yet another allusion to the Justice that will be done, when God will bring eternal condemnation on His enemies, sealing the rebellious fate they have deserved.

God's children are valuable to Him. "Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (10:31). Verses 29-31 have been an encouragement to many believers over the centuries. And, while we should never allow the concept of human value to morph into some man-centered religion (as if Jesus died for us only because of our great value), there is a real comfort here in knowing that my heavenly Father likes me! He loves me! The Fatherhood of God is not incidental to our relationship with Him; it is fundamental. And, just as earthly fathers allow trials and challenges to come into the lives of their children, they still remain fathers, and (the good ones at least) will never leave their post as protectors and saviors (see Ps 121 for a reminder of God's character in this respect).

I pray that you and I will not be ashamed of proclaiming the Word of God in a dangerous world, because we know these three unchangeable truths: Justice will be done, our enemies cannot kill the soul, and we are valuable children in the arms of the most loving Father imaginable.