Meanwhile, so many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. He began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven– that is, the hypocrisy– of the Pharisees. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. (Lk 12:1-7)
Whom should one be afraid of? It is not the one who kills the body. Romans are in the country and soon they will take over the land. The people were afraid of this. The land that was a gift from God and it was due to the fulfilment of the promise made by God to Abraham. The Romans were about to destroy the land and the people. Jesus says that they should not be afraid of them.
They should be afraid of the one who will throw them in Gehenna. Gehenna was the name of Jerusalem’s smouldering rubbish-heap. This term was also used as an image of hell-fire. Will God’s judgement throw one into Gehenna? Should we be afraid of God? Is He the enemy to be afraid of?
The disciples of Jesus should stand firm with trust in God. Nothing can escape the notice of God. Every small bird (creature) is under the guidance of God. Even the hair of the head is counted. God’s care is so. Nothing escapes or can escape the care and protection of God.
