Do not be afraid - Take up your cross and follow me

Reading 1 - Jer 20:10-13

Reading 2 - Rom 5:12-15

Gospel - Mt 10:26-33

 

Jesus came to call people to repentance, to reconcile them and to make them reconciled. But those same stiff, neck, hardened of heart Hebrews were still more intent on worshiping false gods than the Son of God. It was right there in their presence in the flesh. Jeremiah was cruelly treated. Jesus certainly was. And as we recall last week, when Jesus chose the 12 and sent them out two by two, he let them know the persecution was waiting for them as well.

He said, You'll be hated by all because of my name. And that's where this reading picks up today. Matthew Chapter ten, verse 26. In these few verses, Jesus tells them three times, Do not be afraid. Yes, they'll make you. Yes, they might ridicule you, persecute you, even put you to death. But do not be afraid because God has not forgotten you.

God has not forsaken you. And God has something greater in store for all of you. He reminds them they are worth more than many sparrows. And if God can keep his eye on all the birds in the sky so much more, will he be able to keep track of all of us numbering all of our days and all the hairs on our head?

That should be a source of comfort for us. All too often we think that God has forsaken us, that God has forgotten us, that if He exists, is he listening to my prayers? Why doesn't he answer me? Why is there so much suffering in the world? Why is there so much suffering in my life? That doesn't mean that God doesn't answer our prayers or hear them.

Just means is the answer isn't always what we want. Jesus, He prayed intently. He had more faith than all of us put together. And yet, in order to fulfill God's plan for him, he had to suffer greatly. And as he defines discipleship, he said, whoever wishes to follow me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.

And when we do so, he tells us how. Do not be afraid. He said it three times to this gospel here today. But if we added up all the references between the Old and New Testament, where the Word of God tells us to live lives of faith, not fear, we find it 365 times one for every day of the year, for every day of our lives.

God's word continually reminding us. Do not be afraid. We like Jeremiah and those apostles may feel not up to the task. Unfit and capable, unworthy, unwilling. And yet ask for them. So for us, if it's God's Word, if it's God's work, if it's God's will, then He will bring us through. He will put the words in our mouth.

He will give us the courage that we lack, for he is indeed a mighty champion.