This is the sixth in the series:
“… rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Luke 12:4-5, Matthew 10:28)
The context as before is paramount. The disciples are about to go and proclaim the gospel and Jesus knows they will likely face persecution and rejection from the religious leaders and others.
At first glance it may appear as if Jesus is threatening His disciples with hell. In reality He is doing nothing of the kind. He is encouraging them. He is telling them that when they meet every kind of trial and opposition, they are to look to their heavenly Father. They are to approach Him not with dread but with awe. He is the awesome one and He will vindicate them and care for them.
Anyone who is trusting in Jesus alone for salvation has no need of fear. This person is eternally secure, so the worst that can happen is that they will die physically, but their soul has been saved by the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
We live in a world enslaved to fear. Jesus came to set us free from the fear of death and indeed every other fear as well (“and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery”. Hebrews 2:15)
Our amazing heavenly Father has demonstrated His great love for us through creation, redemption and daily sustenance. There is no fear in love. 1 John 4:18 is both encouraging and comforting : “There is no fear in love but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
Every blessing,
Mark
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