Brother’s and sisters in Christ, one of the difficult things to deal with in this fallen world we live in is the unknown future. What is comfortable and predictable about life routines can change very quickly. We never know the exact path out future days will bring. All that we know is that the Lord’s hand is guiding us.
When Jesus sent out the 12 disciples, they did not know what awaited them in their travels. There were no promises of great success for them as they traveled from town to town. Instead what Jesus promises is that they will be hated, they will face dangers, and as they endure to the end they will be saved. They were asked by Jesus to go out into an unknown future with faith.
In today’s world we have no promise from the Lord of immediate success. In today’s world there is potential danger in speaking up for the truth of God’s Word. When you look at all of the intimidation tactics in our society against speaking the truth, it makes hiding look more appealing than going on public record with statements reflecting the truth of God’s Word.
In our gospel reading Jesus tells his disciples time after time to have no fear. He sent out the 12 disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God- and the dangers were real and present all around them.
Jesus names the reasons for fear in his discourse to the 12 he is sending out. The first fear he describes is rejection. “And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.”
Rejection is not pleasant. Rejection communicates that you don’t belong or that something is wrong with you.
We would prefer it if rejection were not such a commonplace part of our faith. But there is no escaping this reality. If you think about it, if nobody ever rejects you on account of your faith, then you probably are doing something wrong. You may be fitting in with others too easily in the ways of this world.
Here this morning we are challenged to face our fears and to name our fears. In doing so we will see with the beauty and clarity of God’s Word that Jesus is greater than our fears.
In our Old Testament Reading Jeremiah laments about the violence and destruction he must preach to the people of Israel. Because of the people’s unbelief and evil he was given so much of God’s law and condemnation to preach that he described the Word of the Lord as a reproach and derision to him all day long. Jeremiah would have liked for an easier message to proclaim with far less negative reactions.
Jesus also warned the disciples about attempts to silence them by various forms of intimidation. In the verses immediately preceding our reading: 17 and 18: “Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the gentiles.”
Jesus did not tell the disciples about the rejection that awaited them to ruin their confidence or scare them from even trying to begin with. Instead Jesus is providing a head start in resilience for the disciples. He is letting them know what the enemy has planned for them, so they can understand that the attacks of the enemy cannot prevail, that God is in control.
Once you accept that the ever present threat of rejection is real, then perhaps that fear of rejection will have little power over you. Through God’s Word we know the way of the world and we are prepared to expect the dangers of the unknown future.
It is in this spirit that Jesus also warns the disciples about persecution. “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.” Jesus indicates that persecution will come in a way that will involve betrayal from those closest to us, such as family members. The hatred of the gospel is fierce enough that anger manifests itself as more than just rejection, but also persecution.
Jesus reminded the disciples that they very well could expect to face death on account of opposition to the gospel. We know from history that most of the disciples indeed faced this persecution all the way onto death. Throughout the history of the church martyrdom for the sake of the gospel has been a reality, including today all over the world.
Perhaps no one is ever truly ready to face such persecution. But our comfort, our readiness is that Jesus has already faced the worst of persecution and suffering.
Jesus does not ask us to follow where he has not gone first. Remember Hebrews 4:15-16… Because Jesus has faced the enemy himself, we can be sure Jesus understands our fears and will provide the mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need
Our Epistle reading from Romans reminds us of how because Jesus has overcome the greatest enemy of all- death and hell, we now are delivered from this fear of death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We have been set free from sin, so that we are no longer slaves to our own sin and the death it brings, but slaves to Christ.
As slaves of Christ we do his will and trust in his words that we have nothing to fear. Rejection, intimidation, persecution, execution, no matter the threat, Jesus has “been there and done that.”
It may be scary to speak up in a world that wants to silence you- but the choice is simple, we are only doing what is commanded of us, to be slaves of Christ and not slaves of the values of this world.
Jesus assures us that he is with us in all fear filled situations. “But even the hairs of your head are all numbered, and no sparrow falls without his notice and “you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Psalm 91 helps us to focus on the shelter Jesus brings to us in all situations.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— 10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. Jesus is the fulfillment to those beautiful promises of Psalm 91. Those who abide in Christ truly have nothing to far because Jesus has overcome death.
Fear and intimidation and persecution will have its day, from a human view we have much to fear. but Jesus will always have the last word. From God’s point of view we have nothing to fear. Jesus promises to be with us all the way,
2 I will sayto the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler
He will be with us until the day when he guides us safely to the New heaven and the New earth- where fear will be banished forever. Amen.