During an episode of the Andy Griffith Show, Barnie told two scared boys that there was “nothing to fear but fear itself.” The boys had lost a baseball when it went through the window of a “haunted” house. After the boys left, Andy sent Barnie to get the ball, but his fears kept him from retrieving it. In the end, he learned that talking about fear is more difficult than facing it.
There are times when we are afraid. An unexpected noise at night, an angry person, or even talking to others may cause us to be afraid. Jesus had just talked to his disciples about not being hypocrites and knew that they would be tempted to play the hypocrite when they were afraid. So, He addressed their fears before they happened by giving them several helpful thoughts.
- What does it say?
Jesus spoke to his disciples as friends and told them not to be afraid of those who could only kill their bodies. He told them to fear the One who after killing could cast the person into Hell. He then asked them if five sparrows were sold for two copper coins. Despite their small value, they are not forgotten by God. As for them, the hairs on their head were counted. Because of these things, they were not to be afraid because they were more valuable than sparrows. - What does it mean?
The disciples were not to fear their limited enemies (Luke 12:4).
At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus had talked to His disciples about the temptation to be a hypocrite like the Pharisees. In verse four, He addressed something that could keep them from speaking God’s truth—fear of man. It was a fact that was later seen in the death of Jesus and several of the early disciples. When Christians spoke the truth, they were often confronted by people who wanted to kill them. This would have naturally caused them to be afraid.
To confront their fears, Jesus pointed out a fact about their enemies. Their enemies were limited in what they could accomplish. It is true that they could kill the disciples. But that would be the limit to what they could do. Nothing else. Jesus told his disciples that they should not fear those who could only do that.
The disciples were to fear their all-powerful God (Luke 12:5).
Jesus pointed out that there was someone who should be feared much more. While He did not mention that person’s name, it is clear that He was talking about God Almighty. He told the disciples to fear the One who could not only kill but could also cast someone into Hell. The word Hell is γέεννα1 which referred to a garbage dump near Jerusalem where dead animals and criminals were burned. The word was also used to describe Hell where unrepentant sinners will be cast by God into eternal torment.
Why did Jesus say this? He said that because “it is not enough for so many who are of little faith to point only to the causelessness of fear; he must apply stronger medicine and by the fear of God drive out the fear of men.”2 When the disciples focused on the power of Almighty God and His ability to kill and eternally punish their enemies, there would be no need for fear. For them, fear “refers not to a hopeless terror but to a kind of reverential awe that leads to obedience.”3
The disciples were to trust in God’s care (Luke 12:6-7).
In these two verses, Jesus told His disciples that fear blinded them from recognizing God’s amazing concern for them. When poor people paid two small coins (about an hour’s pay4) to purchase five small birds to eat, it made these birds seem almost worthless. And yet, Jesus told them that God had not forgotten any of these birds. He also mentioned that the hairs of their head were all numbered. “Each hair is not only counted as one but has its own individual number and is thus individually known and distinguished. So if any one hair is removed, God knows precisely which one it is.”5 That is an amazing thought.
Jesus wanted them to understand that their lives were of more value than sparrows or individual hairs. With that in mind, did they really need to be afraid? The answer is no. With God caring for them, they didn’t need to fear the threats of their enemies. God valued them and would care for them.
To sum up things, the disciples should not fear their limited enemies. They should fear the All-mighty God who could cast people into Hell. They should trust the God who valued them. With these things in mind, how does this apply to us? - How does it apply?
Don’t let your fear keep you from speaking for the Lord.
There are times when our fears can make us act differently around certain people. Because we fear how they will respond, we act the hypocrite or choose not to speak for the Lord. What is the worst they can do? Yes, violence and murder are terrible things, but there is a limit to how they can hurt you. Remember that the next time you are tempted to be quiet or to hide your faith because of fear. Instead of thinking about what could happen to you, think of what will happen if you remain quiet.
Don’t let your fear cause someone to go to Hell.
There may be two thoughts here. First, God can take your enemies out of the way. While they may threaten to kill you, God is able to kill them and cast them into Hell. That is the first idea. Second, because God can cast them into Hell, we need to speak up so that they can escape the coming judgment. Instead of fearing the harm they can do, fear the harm they will face in Hell without Jesus. Think of how Jesus reacted to his persecutors. Think of how Stephen responded as well.
Don’t let your fear keep you from trusting God.
When you think of each of your hairs being numbered, isn’t it amazing? God has a number for each of your thousands of hairs? Wow! God not only knows every detail about you, He also cares for you. As a child of God, you are valuable to Him. So, keep that in mind the next time you are faced with trouble. The God who knows the number of your hairs has you safely in His will and protection.
Conclusion
Oliver Cromwell is noted for saying this. “I have learned that if you fear God, you have no one else to fear.” He lived during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in the mid-1600s and probably faced a lot of fearful things. But if this quotation is what he truly believed, he got it right. Focusing on God with a reverential understanding of His All-mighty power will keep you from fearing men. As Psalm 118:6 says, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Bibliography
Lenski, R. C. H., The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel, Columbus: The Wartburg Press, 1951, orig. 1946.
Martin, John A., “Luke” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, USA: SP Publications, 1983.
Ryle, J. C., Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Volume Two, Luke, Grand Rapids: Baker, reprint 1977.
Stein, Robert H., Luke, Nashville: Broadman, 1992.
Footnotes