Do Not Be Afraid

Jesus says it three times in a row. Jesus says that his missionaries, his disciples who are on mission for him, should not be afraid. In Matthew 10:26-33 Jesus says, "have no fear" (26), "do not fear" (28) and "fear not" (31). In connection with each of these, Jesus gives a reason for fearlessness.

I noticed as I read that Jesus was not shy about talking about hell. Jesus said, "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."

RiverChase Church is slowly reading through the New Testament together in 2009 by reading a chapter each weekday, and the reading this morning was Matthew 13. "The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." ( 13:41-42)

It seems to me that one reason Jesus said this was because humans need to realize the reality of this place of eternal torment and destruction. We easily become preoccuppied with the things around us that we can see and touch. When we are in this state of mind, there are things that seem huge to us and can overwhelm us and cause us to be anxious and afraid. When, however, we begin to have an eternal perspective, the things that seemed so devastating and dreadful begin to shrink in comparison to eternal realities.

When Jesus tells his disciples not to be afraid of those who can only kill their body, but who can not destroy their body and soul in hell, He is reminding all who follow Him of what they can lose and what they can't lose at the hands of those hostile to their message. In comparison to hell, death is much less dreadful. Jesus is saying that the foes of his disciples don't have the power to send them to hell-only God has the power to send people into an eternal hell. Remembering this will cause Christ's disciples to fear God rather than those who persecute and hate them because they are witnesses for Christ.

When I have an eternal perspective, I am motivated, and not intimidated, to make it known that I am Christ's disciple and to make Christ known so that others will become Christ's disciple.


God help me to have an eternal perspective.