6-21-26        Gospel: Matthew 10:24-39

[Jesus said to the twelve:] 24 “A disciple is not above the teacher nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
  26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
  32 “Everyone, therefore, who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
  34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword.
  35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, 36 and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.  37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me, 38 and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ, the One who has faced opposition and fear and triumphed overall.

Division, disagreements, injustice, threats, power plays, weapons build up, usurping of power - yes all those things were happening when Jeremiah was a prophet. You thought I was going to say they are all rampant today.  That would be true. I could certainly provide many examples and rant and rave about the disruptions affecting our world today. In the first reading, it was a similar case for Jeremiah, who had to stand against the Babylonian empire which was about to overrun Judah and disperse the people. Because of their repeated rejection of God and their unwillingness to make changes, God would allow their enemy to have sway for a time.  This prophet had to recount to his people that it was they who had brought God’s judgment down upon themselves. In spite of the fact that Jeremiah was mocked, the people were afraid that he might be correct about their guilt. Of course, they did not want to hear that, so they tried to find ways to discredit him instead. That approach sounds oh, so, familiar. 

Jesus makes it known, that like Jeremiah, the message from God that He has come to bring is not one that everyone wants to hear. His message and his means of delivery will not bring peace but disruption and conflict. The various responses to his message cause even familial division. They needed to see that one’s priorities needed to be set into proper order. As He said: whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me, 38 and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. And as he told his disciples: the disciple needs to be likethe teacher. We have a pattern to follow, an example to emulate; it is the way of the cross. Hardly an easy road, yet it does lead to life.

Matthew has written about discipleship throughout this chapter. In this section we are reminded that a disciple is not above their teacher. So followers of Jesus cannot expect to have an easier route than the one Jesus traveled. The life of disciples by necessity take a similar path as the master’s. You know enough about the events in Jesus’ ministry to realize that your future along such a pathway will not be comfortable or easy. The more you consider such a future, the scarier it may become. In this gospel, no softening of the dangers is offered. Earthly existence is full of turmoil. There are many parties competing for our loyalty and often false promises are given, trying to pull us away from Christ. Jesus does not diminish the evil that will be directed your way by those who feel thwarted. He points out that they will malign you, work to destroy your good reputation and may even dare to destroy your life. The goal of Jesus is to put such fear in its place! Jesus says not to fear those who can kill the body. His warning is to remember that One who has the authority to determine your ultimate and eternal destiny, which is our God! 

Did Jesus expect his disciples to go forward in fear; trembling at some threat of God’s wrath? Are we to be so frightened we end up doing nothing at all and fall prey to fear mongers who claim a message of their own making? It is certainly God’s jurisdiction to pronounce judgment and extract punishment. But Jesus was quick to remind the disciples that there is a difference between what God has a right to do and what God, in His mercy, is going to do! He tells us: do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

If you choose to be fearful, anticipating a bad end, than worry about the right thing - which would be the earned verdict we deserve. However, God has shown us that His foremost concern is with the LIFE of his creatures. God provides even for the everyday, common sparrow and his human creatures are more precious to God than they. We have great worth in God’s eyes. We are SO important, in fact, that Jesus was sent to rescue us from sin and its ultimate consequence by saving us from unending death. With such an investment made for our future, God will not turn his back on us now. We are invited to live our lives without fear because we have this complete assurance of protection and salvation.  This was not the first time Jesus had approached his disciples regarding this topic. He once walked toward them across the turbulent sea and they were filled with fear that it was a ghost approaching. He said: “Take heart, it is I: Be not afraid!” When people fell before him, overcome with awe of him, upon a miracle He had done, he said: “Arise, and have no fear.” When his followers became disheartened he promised them: “Have no fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” After every encounter that can plunge you into disillusionment and doubt, listen to Jesus’ voice, which can still be heard to say: “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Fear is a reality for us. Sometimes it is a healthy caution to prevent foolhardy decisions and unnecessary risk taking. But when fear interferes with productive living, when fear prevents us from serving our neighbor, when fear keeps us isolated from meaningful connections with each other; then fear has taken you over. Fear can usurp the position of prominence which rightfully belongs to our master, to Jesus. 

Jesus spent his ministry time with his followers teaching them how to put fear in its place. That is accomplished with faith. Rely on the love which Jesus has for you. Trust in the promise of His grace. Believe in the salvation He has prepared and provides for you.  An old poem illustrates the place for fear:  

Fear knocked at the door, Faith answered.  There was no one there!  Jesus has warned you ahead of time so you know what to expect. He is protecting you with that information. This life of discipleship will not be free of turmoil, count on some troubles. You will face opposition, mocking, and fears will creep in. They need not prevent you from following Christ. Let Jesus stand between you and your fears. Remember you hold great value to God and you will not be left defenseless. Jesus is your “fear buster!”