EXPLORE THE TEXT
Believers should not fear those who oppose the truth of the gospel.
26 “Therefore, don’t be afraid of them,
since there is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered and nothing hidden that won’t be made known.
27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light.
What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops.
28 Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul;
rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent.
30 But even the hairs of your head have all been counted.
31 So don’t be afraid;
you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Contrast the items Jesus drew attention to in verses 26-28:
Summarize this content from pages 91-92 of the PSG to
explain the contrasts more fully:
“Jesus wanted His disciples to know that regardless of what they were going through,
they could rest assured that in the day of judgment
all the deeds and motives of all people will be ‘uncovered’ and ‘made known.’
Those who suffered for Jesus would be duly rewarded for their faithfulness under persecution.
But these words of Jesus could also be instructions
to take the words that He spoke privately to His disciples and make them publicly known
so that others will become followers of Christ.They had been in private instruction,
but the time had arrived for the open proclamation of the kingdom of God.”
What is the connection between fearing God and not fearing man? (PSG, p. 93)
The images of the sparrows and the hairs are really a call to boldness.
They emphasize God’s care and sovereignty.
Because He is with us, we don’t have to fear
anyone or anything that stands against us as we follow His plans.