What Makes Us Fear?

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

Luke 12:32 

What makes us fear? In our text, Christ tells His hearers, ‘Fear not, little flock.’ In the passage from which our text derives, He makes reference to what makes us afraid. He speaks of ‘those who kill the body.’ His disciples would face these people in future days. He also refers to the fear that God does not value us. He remarks, ‘Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.’ He also says we may be anxious about what to say when persecutors bring us to their councils for accusation. He says, ‘Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.’ There is also the fear which arises because we are not a formidable people. We are a ‘little flock’ of sheep, not powerful and easily put to flight. All these things that make us fear lie within this passage. They prey upon our minds. Christ says, ‘Fear not.’ He understands that we incline to fear and also what makes us fearful. He addresses these things in order to enable us to appreciate how much He understands us. He moves to allay our fears by showing us how He and the Father have planned for us a glorious future.  

Our Gracious Master and our God, 
we rejoice that You know what makes us afraid. 
We praise You that You point us to Yourself, 
to quiet our fears. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning