Do not fear!

Have no fear!  These are the first words of Jesus in our gospel this morning.  In fact in our gospel reading Jesus says these words three times in this short passage.  Throughout the gospels Jesus says in a variety of different contexts – have no fear, do not fear, don’t be afraid.

 I must confess that when I hear these words be it from the gospel or indeed from anyone when we find ourselves in a difficult or dangerous situation – and someone says don’t be afraid – part of me wants to say – Well easier said than done!  These words can feel like – all will be better – don’t worry – etc – and that is not helpful when you cannot help but worry or be afraid.

 When confronted with opposition, threats or danger to life, health or property – be that from individuals, governments, institutions or as we now have experienced from something unknown and unseen like a virus – then it is absolutely reasonable and human to be fearful.

 Fear is an important emotion that in many contexts we need – it is not necessarily negative because it can force us to change our behavior be it for our own protection and survival or that of others [and have we not experienced that in these past months?].  Yet at the same time overwhelming fear can also be so negative and destructive that we become somewhat paralysed by it and do not know how to respond.  Fear is an emotion that we cannot necessarily control but we do have some choices and decisions to make as a result of fear.

Now Jesus’ words ‘have no fear’ address a particular situation, namely that of the disciples and the challenges they face in proclaiming the kingdom and following Jesus.  Jesus makes it clear that this proclamation is to be bold – proclaim it from the housetops –  by implication as well as context suggests that this may in fact put them in some danger or threat because what is at stake is so much more than just our physical existence.  And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. 

The imperative then is that the disciples if they acknowledge Jesus and his lordship and if they have a real understanding of the riches in the goodness of the kingdom, then they have no option but to live and proclaim the kingdom even if this means real danger to their lives.  It is nothing less than a radical call to complete and utter discipleship. 

But then the crunch comes I think when Jesus explains why they can and should do this and be able to do so with little or no fear.  And that explanation and reassurance Jesus goes on to explain comes from the Father – in other words the very nature of God who cares utterly for all his creatures.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  These are for us rather strange words but in that time sparrows were a cheap form of food for the poor – they were considered of little value – and yet the point is being made that even the fall or death of a sparrow does not occur without God’s knowledge and care.  We are given a picture of God who cares not only for all but with absolute and intimate detail captured I think brilliantly in those words – but even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  So, it is this reality of God’s utter care for his disciples that surely will give them the confidence to remain committed to Jesus and the proclamation of the kingdom even as we hear earlier in this chapter of Matthew’s gospel that they will face persecution and danger of one sort or another.  In chapter 10:16 – Behold I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.

So, what might this all mean for us here today?  In many ways the context of this gospel is so far removed from the context of our church and indeed most churches in the Western world today.  But at the same time, it should be acknowledged that there still remains in our world many Christian communities and individuals as well as those of other faiths that face fear, discrimination and outright persecution.  Perhaps it is these people and communities of faith who have to live out their commitment and struggle for justice as a minority group in an environment of intolerance and danger who will identify much more closely with these words of Jesus.

On the other hand – for those of us who find ourselves far removed from such an environment in living and proclaiming our faith it raises the question that if we never experience discomfort and embarrassment or fear in professing and living the faith, if we never have to confess Jesus in a way that means standing apart from the crowd, have we truly heard the good news for which at our baptism we were claimed?  This question and challenge perhaps is becoming more pertinent in an increasingly complex and secular culture.

 Whichever perspective speaks to us personally, these words of Jesus have no fear – I trust reassure us and indeed inspire us as they did for his disciples and others to carry on and live and proclaim the gospel as boldly, confidently and courageously as we can in spite of all the challenges and possible negativity that we may face and we can do that with this knowledge and certainty that we are of so much value to God and that we will be vindicated in and through God’s son Jesus.

As a church, as a parish, as individual disciples I think more than ever in this pandemic environment, we need to hear those words of Jesus – do not fear as we face a new context and challenge in living and proclaiming our faith.