Arulvakku

10.07.10 DO NOT BE AFRAID

  No disciple is above his teacher,…

"Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops…

 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 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. (Mt 10:24-33)


In this passage Jesus tells his disciples: “Do not be afraid” three times. (vv. 26, 28, 31). This seems to be a commandment. Because he had been telling them the problems they were about to face. The people in authority would be against them, the relatives would leave them and go away etc. There would also be physical sufferings. None of these things should disturb them.

The reason why they should not be afraid of is quite strange. The reason is that everything would be made public and there would be no secrets. What is made public is not their secret thoughts or plans rather their fidelity and their belief in God. People will begin to see that God is with them and they are worth more than the sparrows etc. So their worth and their attachment to God and the presence of God in their lives and the care of God will be made public.

Also they are not to be afraid of God. Because God is the one who cares for them and knows the details of their lives. They are to be afraid of the people and things that would separate them from God.  Acknowledgement and denial are reciprocal. This again is with regard to the relationship with Jesus.