Fear No One

Fear no one! (Matthew 10:26) This statement from Jesus can be better understood if taken together with what is written in the preceding verses. In colorful yet mysterious tones, Jesus conveys in them the notion of the explosive energy of the Gospel. For Jesus, the Good news packs such power that we should live it out and preach it without reliance on mere human resources. (cf. Matthew 10:9-10) Firmly anchored in his love for us, we should be so impelled by its content (which we should notice as already transforming our life) that we propose it to others even with disregard for our bodily safety. Thus, far from being daunted by the usual, expected, crazy reaction of this godless world, we should do our preaching in an unrestrained, bold fashion such that our opponents will be left speechless, shocked.

In fact, Jesus expects of us to be so “possessed” by the Holy Spirit that we dare to operate like defenseless sheep among rabid, hungry wolves. For Jesus, the spiritual and moral “muscle” of the Gospel is so unmatched that he instructs us to rely not on our human skills but, rather, on what the Holy Spirit will inspire us to say in due time. Jesus is very clear about our way of witnessing to the Gospel: we should be preaching as people “under the influence” not of altering substances like alcohol or drugs but the irresistible impetus of the Holy Spirit! Then Jesus goes on to forewarn us about fierce persecution and rejection from all sides including, perhaps, from within our own family.

Hence, let me be more specific as to the context in which this order of not being afraid is given to us. Jesus is incredibly straightforward with us. He truly levels with us, not hiding what we can expect if we live out the Gospel and we dare to preach it in the setting in which we happen to be living according to our station in life, family situation and calling.

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.

Matthew 10:28

Is Jesus exaggerating the power of the Gospel to convince us to try harder to live its bold demands? Of course not! Listen to St. Paul: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. (Romans 1:16)

Now, it is not the first time we received from the Lord an order not to be afraid; and, naturally, we lost count of the times we resolved to bear witness to the Gospel in this very church. However, soon after that, we reverted to our old ways of making little or no waves and kept our faith under wraps as a personal matter. This time, it must be different. Fully aware of our lukewarmness and indecisiveness, Jesus warns us: rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. (Matthew 10:28)

The One we should fear is he who can create a whole universe from nothing simply by uttering his word of command and can undo everything and everyone with equal ease and lightning speed. The One we should fear is the One who takes the trouble of keeping an accurate count of the strands of hair on our heads and tracks the lifespan of each of his creatures, including nearly worthless sparrows.

We shall remember that nothing can stand in the way of the irreversible, unstoppable unfolding of his plan of salvation announced by means of the Gospel.

“So have no fear of them:” Whatever might have fed our fear and made us reluctant to preach the Gospel will fail to stymie the truth about anything and anyone; it will also be unable to stop the revelation of secret plans, sinister intentions and evil designs.

Jesus concludes his lesson by stressing the seriousness of the matter on hand. 

Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.  But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father. (Matthew 10:32)

We are given a choice between being bold preachers of the Gospel and having both our body and soul destroyed in Gehenna (Hell). Here are two simple ways of assessing if we are acknowledging Jesus before others or denying him before them. In the last ten, twenty years of receiving God’s grace in this church and elsewhere, what spiritual progress can I show for it? Without drawing attention upon me, without ostentation, what Christian virtues which I practice, set a good example for others to imitate? 

If we find ourselves wanting, there is no time to waste. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we rush to live out the Gospel and preach it regardless of any personal inconvenience and without any fear. Our eternal happiness hangs in the balance.