The only thing to fear
Opening Prayer
Precious Savior, Your perfect love drives out fear. Help me find my place of rest in that love!
Read LUKE 12:1–12
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1] Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [2] There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. [3] What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. [4] “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. [5] But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. [6] Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. [7] Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. [8] “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. [9] But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. [10] And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. [11] “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What should we fear?Here Jesus is warning his disciples against giving in to four types of fear. First, the fear of speaking the truth aloud, which can cause us to fall into the trap of hypocrisy (1–3). Second, Jesus talks of the fear of earthly enemies (4). Instead, he says, stand in awe of the one whose power continues after death (5). Next is the fear of acknowledging God (8,9). For me, it can be hard to admit my love of God for fear of ridicule. In the disciples’ culture, where blasphemy was punishable by death, proclaiming Jesus was seriously dangerous. Then comes the sternest warning of all, for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (10). This is a reference to Luke 11:15, where Jesus was accused of driving out spirits by the power of Beelzebub, rather than by the power of the Spirit. Finally Jesus warns against the fear of being speechless in the face of accusation (11,12), assuring us that God, through the Spirit, will always give us words to say when we need them most. If we acknowledge God in our hearts and with our voices, he promises us that we have nothing to fear.
Apply
What are you afraid of? Take a moment to lay your fears before God.
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