NO FEAR

                                                Matthew 10: 24-33

 

 

 

          In the 1990’s a small clothing apparel company sprang up in the Midwest. Its owners hoped to capitalize on the motocross extreme sports image. The name of the company was “No Fear.” The website shows a motocross biker high in the air about to vault a rock formation and the saying reads: “This is my comfort zone.” It looks really cool and really dangerous. The idea is that living on the edge and doing the extreme can get you high on life, that fear can hold you back from experiencing life.

          That’s one marketing jingle that is right on point. Fear can hold you back. But fear comes in an assorted package and everyone has some. Christians have certainly had their share. It’s hard to believe that there was a time when vaulting rock formations on a motorcycle was like a walk in the park compared to witnessing the gospel to a group gathered by the city gate, but it’s true. In Matthew, Jesus assembles his apostles to give them authority over unclean spirits. First, they are sent to their own people, the nation of Israel. Later there will be a much bigger commission, but for now, Jesus starts them out in more familiar territory.

          Even in this friendly arena, Jesus warns his disciples of the persecution that is to come. Jesus warns of bad religious leadership and uncaring, de-sensitized politicians. Sound familiar? He warns further that even families will be split, that the followers of Jesus will be hated for their message. They will have to flee for their very lives from village to village, all because they follow Jesus.

          “Have no fear of them,” says Jesus to his disciples. There was much to fear, but Jesus wasn’t talking about whether there was reason to fear. He was talking about what to do with it. Suspicion and misinformation ran so deep that Jesus had actually been accused of being Satan because of his power to perform mighty acts. Jesus pointed out to his followers that if it’s possible to get that far removed from the truth when in the presence of Jesus himself, how much more easy will it be to confuse the message of the disciples! They should expect no less than Jesus himself was accused of. Jesus was warning his followers of the cost of discipleship. He was persecuted and killed and his disciples suffered the same fate. The danger was real.

          But that was then and this is now. Surely in the 21^st century, there is really nothing to fear from practicing Christianity, right?  Wrong. In Minya, Egypt, the Bishop Mousa Coptic Church was destroyed by pro-Morsi supporters who blamed Christians for his overthrow. In Cirebeum, Indonesia, a Christian church was bulldozed by state authorities. North Korea has Christian labor camps. In fact, the World Watch List, an organization dedicated to tracking the abuse of Christians, reports that over sixty countries actively persecute Christians. One watch group has reported that a Christian is killed every eleven minutes for practicing his faith in Christ. Persecution of Christians is alive and well, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, China, North Korea and parts of India.

          But Jesus said to have no fear. What did he mean? Jesus was talking about why it was important to control the fear. In the tenth chapter of Matthew, Jesus gives his disciples several reasons why they should not let their fear control their actions. First, Jesus says, the truth will out. No matter what is covered or veiled now, the time will come when the real truth of the matter will come to light.

Secondly, Jesus reminds us of the value of comparison shopping. It’s bad to die, but it’s even worse to die on the wrong side of history and salvation. I saw a saying on a soccer shirt once that read something like “He who dies with the most toys, still dies.” I’ll leave it for you to work out what meaning that may convey to you, but for me, it’s a practical reminder that there is only one way out of this place. Jesus reminds us that when judgment day comes, there will be a resurrection for all of us, regardless of our beliefs. We are all accountable, and the wages of unredeemed lives and unforgiven sin will be paid. So it would seem that one of the things that Jesus reminds us through his disciples is that while death is unattractive, it is also inevitable, and a believer’s death reaps a great reward. Not so for the selfish. Not so for those who compromised their way out of the truth.

Last, and my personal favorite, is this. Jesus reminds us that the very hairs of our heads are numbered and identifiable to God. He says that not even a sparrow will fall to the ground unbeknownst to God. Jesus is saying that the providence of God extends not only to the big picture, but also to the very smallest details of each and every life he creates. God’s providence, his care and concern for all his creation, is as personal and all-encompassing as it is worldly.

So Jesus says to those who would follow him: Have no fear of those who would do you harm, of those who would lie about you and slander you. The truth will come out. Don’t fear death for the cause of Christ, for it is only the body that man can touch. God is the owner of the soul and it is immortal. And remember, God knows where you are, whom you’re with, whose side you’re on and he cares about you, right down to the toothpaste you use.

Even in this land of religious freedom, there are decisions to make for God every day. How will we be known? Where will we draw the line? There are truths contained within the Word of God, immutable truths that cannot and should not be compromised. The laws of the state are just that. They have a different design, a different purpose. The law of God and his design of the Church are precious jewels of truth to be protected, cherished and preserved. In these days of modern persecution of the church, we in the West can be lulled into a false sense of security, of entitlement. But we too should understand that our desire to be popular cannot govern our duty to be obedient to God. We cannot be all things to all people.We must be on our guard to see that we do not implode from our desire to be inclusive and tolerant. Such characteristics are admirable, even virtuous, but they are not now and have never been substitutes for the truths our Savior taught us. Religious freedom does not give us license to re-write the Word of God in the name of social change. There are truths contained within God’s Word that will never be subject to change and cannot be “interpreted” away.

Sometimes it is easier to deal with the enemy when he shows his face and takes aim directly at you. Then you are sure of where you stand. But sometimes the enemy is barely recognizable. He is disguised as inevitability or progress or even tolerance. Remember what Jesus taught the disciples. The truth will come out. Make sure you are on its side and not that of some fad or social movement.

 Are you standing up for the Church? Are you controlling the fear or is it controlling you? Is your silence an act of courage or an act of acquiescence? The price of discipleship is high and the standard of vigilance is as well. Our Savior calls upon us to protect his bride.  We cannot deny him. If we do, he will deny us. So have no fear. His truth is worth any price to protect.  Amen.