Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Fear has many forms. There’s “fear of the unknown” … those things our imaginations conjure up that might hurt us — something, we’re not sure what, we think might cause us great harm. There’s also “fear of the unlikely” … bad things that could happen, but likely won’t — the proverbial bus that might hit us. Then there’s “fear of the known” … those things that if they happen, will most likely negatively impact us — telling someone bad news we know they don’t want to hear. It’s this last fear that often paralyzes us when we know we need to do something unpleasant, while also knowing a terrible consequence likely awaits.
Jesus calls His disciples to proclaim the truth - God’s law and His gospel - to all those who don’t put their full trust in God ahead of all things besides Him. He knew they’d suffer when they “proclaim (this truth) on the housetops” for all to hear. (Matthew 20:27) He knew this because it had happened before — to God’s boldest prophets, like Jeremiah. Jeremiah knew God had called him to speak to Israel about God’s hard, unpopular truth and the impact of their godless, sin-filled ways. Even Jeremiah found it difficult to carry out God’s will. He cried out to God in anguish, “O Lord, You have deceived me … I have become a laughingstock all the day, everyone mocks me!” (Jeremiah 20:7)
Jesus also calls us to proclaim His truth — the uncomfortable law, as well as the comforting gospel — to a disbelieving world from the housetops. But He encourages His disciples then, and us today, “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 10:28) Proclaiming God’s truth to a hard-hearted, sin-filled world might cause pain — even death. But, for Jesus’ faith-filled followers death isn’t the end of the story. The end of the story for us is eternal life in God’s new creation, His eternal kingdom. Therefore, have no fear!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim