"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.  What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 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.

Matthew 10: 26-28

Someone posted on the net a list of Phobias or fears. So far there are 530 on the list ranging from the fear of anything new – neophobia to the fear of the color yellow – xanthophobia. It is important to acknowledge our fears. Each of us has our own fears sometimes openly expressed or in some moments discretely hidden from the eyes of others. Part of our journey to maturity is our ability to recognize and name our fears and ultimately to face our fears squarely. This is what courage is all about, as – Lt. John B. Putnam Jr. (1921-1944) said, “Courage is not the lack of fear but the ability to face it.” Speaking about the possibility of being maligned and persecuted Jesus advised his disciples – have no fear. Have no fear of those who can inflict harm to the body but fear God “who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

In this case the manifestation of a conquered fear is the ability to express in the light what had been spoken in the dark and to proclaim from the housetop what had been heard in whisper. Jesus sets the contrast but Jesus does not force the issue to those who would not accept the message. The disciples’ task is not to instill fear to others but to present the message of the Kingdom of heaven. In the previous verse (13-14) Jesus said, If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. He advised further that disciples should be wise as serpents and innocents as doves. (10:16).

The advice have no fear is not a license to do anything we want irresponsibly but it is word of reassurance for all of us who live our lives in the faith that God’s rule and reign has now come fully in Jesus. There will be tensions, conflicts and intimidations because of the demands of the Kingdom. Jesus knew that as normal human beings we fear these things and those who are responsible in making them real in our lives. So Jesus gave this advice – have no fear!

Prayer

O Lord, our God,

save us from our fears

and give us courage to face them. Amen.

[Like a seed planted in the soil, it is our prayer that God's Word will grow in us as we nurture it in our hearts. Allow the seed to germinate. Your reflections and responses are welcome. Please click on the Add a new comment icon below.] Past Daily Devotions are archived at the bottom of the Sermons page.