Nolite timere | Don't be afraid

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" – Luke 12:7 (NIV).

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This passage (Luke 12:1-12) tells us about how Jesus warned and encouraged primarily to his disciples about the teaching and attitude of Pharisees. The Pharisees were a religious leader movement in ancient Judaism around the time of Jesus. They may not exist nowadays, but the attitude and teaching may still exist. What kind of attitude and teaching are they?

Jesus warned His disciples not to be hypocrites like the Pharisees. Hypocrisy is explained in Luke 12:1-3 (MSG) - You can’t keep your true self hidden forever; before long you’ll be exposed. You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day’s coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town. A person may be able to keep it secret for a long time, but it will eventually come out for all to see. Nothing is hidden before God. 

How do prevent us from being hypocrite? It is by living life of truthfulness and honest. “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man”- 2 Corinthians 8:21.

Jesus warned His disciples to be beware of religious bullying. The Pharisees were religious bullies, the people who are mean to or hurt you on purpose because of your faith. Later in the disciples’ life, they endured persecution and a number of them experienced martyrdom because of their faith. Nowadays, in some part of the world, Christ’s disciples get persecuted for their faith.

 

How do we face these religious bullies in life? Firstly, do not fear man, fear God. “Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands” - Luke 12:4-5 (MSG). As Christians, we have no need to fear death and therefore no need to fear those who threaten it. Secondly, remember that God take care of us. He would take care of the sparrow, an insignificant creature and cheap meat in Jesus’ day, He will take care of us. "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" – Luke 12:7 (NIV).

Finally, Jesus encouraged the disciples not to be afraid to confess and defend their faith, when they were dragged into public places because of their faith. “Do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” – Luke 12:11-12 (NIV). 

To God be the glory. God bless you.

Reflection on Luke 12:1-12 by Veralin Uneputty

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