Do Not be Afraid.

[Matthew 10:24-33]

Renowned as a genius scientist, Albert Einstein is believed to have said during his lifetime, ‘I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots’ (Internet). Einstein's fear seems to be related to concerns about the advancement of science and technology. I believe that the day he feared has already arrived. Just last week, while dining at a restaurant with my wife, I noticed a family sitting at a nearby table. It seemed to be a mother and her two children, but I observed that the children, while having their meal, were engrossed in their smartphones, not engaging in any conversation with each other. The progress of science and technology has brought numerous benefits to our lives, making them more convenient and, in some ways, happier. From this perspective, one could argue that the ultimate goal of science is to provide people with the comfortable and happy life they desire. However, along with these advantages, there are also disadvantages to the development of science and technology. These drawbacks include ethical issues arising from biotechnology, problems related to population growth due to prosperous living, environmental pollution, and the harm inflicted upon people by advanced weapons created through scientific technology (Internet). I also believe that the advancement of medical technology falls into a similar category. While medical technology has made overcoming diseases like cancer possible, with over 50% of people showing a survival rate of more than five years, the fear of cancer remains high among the public. The reasons for this fear, according to an internet article, are twofold. First, despite the significant improvement in treatment and survival rates due to medical technology, the cost of medical care remains high. Second, after being diagnosed with cancer, approximately 80% of individuals end up unemployed due to the need for treatment (Internet). Therefore, based on a survey conducted by the Korean National Cancer Center, 76.5% of respondents expressed significant concern over the financial burden of cancer treatment, and 13.7% indicated that they would entirely forgo hospital visits due to cost concerns. While the death rate due to cancer is 16.1%, the fear of treatment costs is reported to be 30.7% (Internet). What are you afraid of?

In today's passage from Matthew 10:26, 28, and 31, Jesus repeatedly tells his twelve disciples not to be afraid. Focusing on the theme of "Do Not be Afraid," I would like to meditate on Matthew 10:24-33, seeking the lessons God imparts to us all.

First, the object of fear that we need to consider is who we should not be afraid of.

Look at Matthew 10:26 - "So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known." Here, Jesus tells his disciples not to be afraid of "them." Who are they? We can think of three possibilities:

The "they" that Jesus is referring to are those who insulted Jesus as "Beelzebul."

Look at Matthew 10:25 - "It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!" Here, "Beelzebul" means "the prince of demons" (9:34; 12:24). So, who referred to Jesus as "the prince of demons"? Look at Matthew 9:34 and 12:24: "But the Pharisees said, 'It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons,'" "But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, 'It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.'" Hearing the news that Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute (12:22), the Pharisees called Jesus "the prince of demons Beelzebul" (v. 24). Therefore, Jesus tells his twelve disciples not to be afraid of these Pharisees. Why did Jesus say this to his disciples? The reason is that he knew the Pharisees had persecuted him and expected that they would persecute his disciples as well. So, in Matthew 10:24, Jesus says, "The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master." The meaning of this statement is that if Jesus, as the teacher, experienced persecution, those who become his disciples cannot avoid persecution (Park). Therefore, in John 15:20, Jesus said, "Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also."

If you read through today's passage, starting from Matthew 10:1, you will see that Jesus called his twelve disciples (v. 1), gave them instructions (vv. 2-15), and spoke about them receiving hatred and persecution (vv. 16-23). Regarding this persecution, Jesus provided more specific details from verse 17 onwards. First, Jesus mentioned that people would deliver His disciples to councils and flog them in their synagogues (v. 17). This prophecy was fulfilled when the apostles, leaders of the early church, were arrested by the Sanhedrin, the supreme council of the Jews, and questioned (Acts 5:27). Moreover, in accordance with the Jewish customs of the time, there were incidents where those who violated religious laws were disciplined in synagogues with corporal punishment. The apostles faced persecution from the Jews in this way (v. 40) (Park). In reality, those who persecuted Jesus the most during His time were members of the council, including priests, scribes, elders, Pharisees, and Sadducees (Internet). Jesus was indicating that these religious leaders, who persecuted Him, would also persecute His disciples. Not only this persecution but also, in Matthew 10:21, Jesus prophesied about the persecution His disciples would face: "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death." What does this prophetic statement mean? It implies that close family members will betray those who believe in Jesus, leading to persecution. In reality, we can witness how this prophecy is being fulfilled even today. How many brothers and sisters who believe in Jesus are facing hatred and persecution from their own families? Indeed, we see brothers betraying brothers, fathers betraying their children, and children rebelling against their parents because of faith in Jesus.

When Jesus mentioned "they," He was referring to all those who hate Him.

Look at Matthew 10:22 - "And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." The Bible is telling us that if we believe in Jesus, we will be hated by all those who hate Him. Why do all these people hate Jesus and those of us who believe in Him? Look at John 15:19 - "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." The reason the world hates us is that we do not belong to the world but to the Lord. Therefore, when Jesus said, "Do not be afraid of them," He referred not only to the Pharisees but to everyone who hates Jesus.

When Jesus mentioned "they," He referred to those who "can kill the body but cannot kill the soul."

Look at Matthew 10:28a - "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul." Since Jesus Himself experienced hatred and persecution, knowing that His disciples would face the same, even to the point of death, He assured them not to fear. Therefore, when Jesus spoke about enduring hatred and persecution for His sake, even unto death, He emphasized the importance of not being afraid.

Believing in Jesus and spreading His gospel will inevitably lead to persecution. Those who hate Jesus will persecute us, even to the extent of taking our physical lives. Nevertheless, as Jesus instructed, we should not be afraid of them.

Second, let's consider why we should not be afraid.

Why should we not be afraid? Why should we not fear those who hate Jesus and oppose the gospel, all those who persecute us? The reason is clearly stated by Jesus in today's passage, Matthew 10:29-31: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." The reason we should not fear persecutors is that our Father in heaven esteems us highly. He values us to the extent that not even a sparrow, sold for a meager amount, falls to the ground without His knowledge (Lk. 12:6). He takes care of and oversees the life and death of every sparrow, and how much more does He care for and value us, disciples of Jesus, who are far more precious than many sparrows (Mt. 10:31, Lk. 12:7)? Moreover, in Matthew 10:30, Jesus indicates that our Father in heaven even knows the number of hairs on our heads, demonstrating His delicate and intimate love for us. With such deep love and care, the Lord assures His disciples by saying, "And even the hairs of your head are all numbered" (v. 30). In light of this love and careful attention, Jesus continues to encourage His disciples, stating in Luke 21:17-18, "But not a hair of your head will perish." Even though we may face hatred from everyone because of Jesus' name, our Lord promises that not a hair on our heads will be harmed. Therefore, considering the profound love and watchful care our Lord has for us, even in the face of persecution and hatred, we should not be afraid of those who oppose Jesus and despise us.

If we believe in Jesus, persecution is inevitable. As we go out into the world, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and striving to live a life worthy of the gospel, we will undoubtedly face persecution. People of the world will hate us, and even our unbelieving family members may harbor animosity. Nevertheless, we should not be afraid. We should not fear those who hate Jesus and those who hate us as Christians. The reason is that God esteems us highly. The reason is that God values us as precious and noble and loves us (Isa. 43:4). God says to us, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine" (v. 1). "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (41:10). Do not be afraid, for God is with us. The God who loves us to the extent of giving His only begotten Son on the cross until our redemption assures us that He values and esteems us. This God will undoubtedly strengthen us and help us. God will hold us securely with His mighty right hand. Instead, we should fear only the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Mt. 10:28). We should fear the One whom we should rightly fear (Lk. 12:5). We should fear the God who has the power to destroy not only our bodies but also our souls in hell. Instead of fearing those who hate and persecute us, let us fear God. In the midst of such circumstances, even before those who hate and persecute us, we must confess Jesus. We should not be afraid even before persecutors who may try to harm us physically. We should confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior in faith. At that time, Jesus will acknowledge us before His heavenly Father (Mt. 10:32). However, if we deny Jesus before those who hate and persecute us, Jesus will deny us before His heavenly Father (v. 33).

Fear not, little flock, from the cross to the throne, From death in to life He went for His own; All power in earth, all power above, Is given to Him for the flock of His love.
Fear not, little flock, He go-eth ahead, Your Shepherd selecteth the path you must tread; The waters of Ma-rah He'll sweeten for thee, He drank all the bitter in Gethsemane.
Fear not, little flock, whatever your lot, He enters all rooms, "the doors being shut;" He never forsakes, He never is gone, So count on His presence in darkness and dawn.

(Chorus)

Only believe, only believe; All things are possible, only believe;

Only believe, only believe; All things are possible, only believe.

[“Fear not, little flock”]