+ Pentecost 3 – June 21st, 2020 +
Series A: Jeremiah 20:7-13; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:5, 21-33
Beautiful Savior Lutheran
Milton, WA
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
The year was 1933. Franklin Delano Roosevelt took office on March 4th. And in his first inaugural speech he said those most famous words, that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.
Admittedly, the quote sounds a bit odd at first. But President Roosevelt said those words because in 1933 people were face to face with very real fears. A massive, global economic crisis. The Great Depression. The National Socialist Party rose from the ashes of the so called war to end all wars. Given all that was going on the world then, fear is understandable. It’s not hard to imagine why many people were afraid.
The year was roughly 30 A.D. Jesus has begun to teach his disciples. He has prepared them to be laborers in his harvest. Called them as heralds of his gracious rule and reign. Jesus sends them out at first to the lost sheep of Israel, and then to the ends of the earth. And yet Jesus sugarcoats nothing for his disciples. He sends them out not only to sheep but as sheep in the midst of wolves. The very fact that Jesus tells his disciples – then and today – to “have no fear” is a very real and sobering reminder that there will be much to fear.
Jesus’ disciples – then and now – will be hated. Ridiculed. Mocked. Persecuted. Betrayed. Martyred. There will be suffering. Tribulation. Take up your cross and follow me. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
And yet, Jesus says, “Have no fear.” It’s so important that Jesus says, “have no fear” not once, but three times.
Jesus says to his disciples – then and now - Have no fear of those who oppose Christ. For one day all men’s hidden sin and rebellion will be made known. Seen for what it is.
Jesus says to his disciples – then and now - Have no fear for even the worst persecution cannot destroy your relationship with the Father.
Jesus says to his disciples – then and now - Have no fear in the midst of persecution or suffering because if our heavenly Father knows and cares for creatures as small and insignificant as sparrows, how much more will he care for you.
The year, is 2020. And once again there is much to fear. Political rancor and turmoil. A pandemic and all the disease and isolation and destruction that has come along with it. Economic uncertainty. Injustice and unrest across our country. And each of us could probably name a whole host of other fears to add to our list
And yet, as great as our fears may be, Jesus crucified and risen is greater than our fears. That’s Jesus’ word of comfort in Matthew 10 for his disciples then and now.
26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
Jesus reveals one of the great paradoxes of the Christian faith. That though the reign and rule of God is here and present in Jesus, only the eyes of faith can see it. Like Hebrews 11 and all the Old Testament saints who have gone before us – by faith in what was promised in Jesus, even when it wasn’t seen. It’s true for us too. The eyes of faith are in your ears. For though we see what looks like the world falling apart around us. Faith hears the word and promise of Christ. Have no fear. You have Jesus’ Word. Have no fear. For you are not under the law but under grace. Have no fear for if you suffer cross and trial, know that Christ has already suffered for you in your place. And suffers with you still.
This is the good news that Jesus calls his disciples – then and now – to proclaim on the housetops, on the internet, in your life with your friends, family, and neighbors.
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.
At first this doesn’t sound very comforting, but it is meant to be. For Jesus’ disciples, especially in the first century, the fear of persecution and death was very real. But even the worst persecution, says Jesus, cannot snatch his disciples out of the Father’s hands. The enemies of Christ’s church can physically kill his disciples. They cannot, however, go any farther. do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. You belong – soul and body – to Christ. And not even death can separate you from his love. As we confess in the small catechism, we fear, love, and trust in God above all things. But even that is based on God’s love for us. Like Jeremiah, we rejoice that the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me.”
Whatever our fears may be – Christ has overcome them all by being overcome by them on the cross, along with our greatest fears of sin and death. as great as our fears may be, the death and resurrection of Jesus are far greater than our fears.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?[i] And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Jesus’ third “have no fear” is just as comforting as the previous two. Two sparrows could be bought for 1/16th of a denarious – a day’s wage. About a half an hour’s work today. Jesus’ point is that sparrows are cheap. And yet none of them fall to the earth without the Father knowing about it. And if you think that’s good news, even the hairs your head are numbered.
Does this mean Jesus’ disciples – then and now – will never suffer evil or persecution? No. Far from it. It means, rather, that when suffering and persecution come our way that you are always under the Father’s loving, gracious care. That no matter how dark the world looks, Jesus Christ is light of the world. That no matter how grim the valley of the shadow death grows around you, your good shepherd leads the way. That no matter what it is you fear, Jesus will not leave you alone, abandon you, nor forsake you
Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. You are of such great value that God took on human flesh to save you. To suffer with you and for you. To bear in his body on the cross all your fears. To bury in his tomb all our sin and death. To rise again, ascend, and rule and reign so that today, tomorrow, and the day after that he would say to you. “Have no fear.”
In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.
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