I once wrote an article entitled O Ye of Little Faith discussing the five separate occasions when our Lord reprimanded His closest followers. I mentioned the incident when, crossing the Sea of Galilee, He twice rebuked them for being fearful (see Matt 8:23‑27/Mk 4:37‑41).  At another time when Jesus is summing up the horrors of The Great Tribulation, He speaks of “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after (expecting) those things which are coming on the earth” Luke 21:26. According to His inerrant Word things are going to get that bad as a consequence of intensified, widespread evil in this world.  Even now, humanistic plans and purposes are building toward that unbelievable, unbearable era.  Contrasting the dreadful fate of the wicked with the glorious destiny of the righteous, the prophet Isaiah reveals: “ The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come” Is 57:1. Either through the sleep of merciful death or by means of sudden, thrilling translation by rapture, watching, praying, obedient servants of the Savior will be accounted worthy to escape all those things that are coming upon the earth to swiftly stand before His heavenly presence (see Luke 21:36).

In the synoptic gospels of both Matthew and Luke as well as in the special gospel of John the awesome, incisive and reassuring command, “Fear … not” is issued seven times. In view of current millennial madness ‑ the destructive practices of many false cults, the epidemic increase of phobias and family disintegration, the fear of sudden obliteration (by errant asteroids or through unmanageable nuclear stockpiles), plagues, ecological disasters, financial chaos, unreliable and corrupt government, moral decay – you name it, the list seems endless – let’s just say, any of the revolving threats, real and imagined which terrorize us from day to day, the EOE thought it good and helpful to touch upon these seven gospel imperatives. Hopefully, our readers can glean from them some insights that will aid not only in blocking or alleviating the paralyzing effects of alarming fright but might give them cause for happiness in Christ. Here goes. Enjoy and be edified –

Fear Not Rejection
In Matthew 10:26 the Lord Jesus admonishes His followers not to fear the sickening sadness of rejection nor even the continuing threat of persecution.

If we compare this verse with its counterpart in Luke 12:1-2 we see that our Lord was referring to the hatred and violence spawned by man-made religion. The latter citation shows that Jesus was alluding to the leaven (the corrupting teachings) of the Pharisees. In both Gospels, the bottom line reassurance is that “the truth will come out” and that we need not fear boldly witnessing to and for Him, regardless of adverse reactions!

Fear Not Man

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” Matthew 10:28.

At most, man can only cause the loss of life but he lacks the power to destroy life. God alone can do that. For those who walk in closeness to their Creator, this should be a most heartening command. And the solemn circumstances of facing death itself can be assuaged by the confirming, consoling words of God spoken through His ancient prophet:

“I, even I, am He that comforteth you, who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass?” Isaiah 51:12.

  

Fear Not, You Are of Value to God
The third “Fear not” citation is more a reassuring assertion than an imperious command. Verse 31 of this same chapter in Matt states: “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows”. The Lord Jesus encourages us to believe that “His eye is on the sparrow” and that nothing, absolutely nothing happens in this life without the knowledge or will of our heavenly Father. In fact, we are reminded that the very hairs of our head are all numbered. Interestingly enough, the Aramaic word use here for “numbered” is the exact same one that appeared mysteriously on the wall of Belshazzar’s palace when this word “mene” signified that God had numbered the Babylonian dynasty, found it wanting, and finished it (see Daniel 5:25). The same God who surveys and controls the movements in the mightiest worldly kingdoms also regards in detail the minutest aspects of our personal lives. As the Psalmist puts it: “My times (i.e., all my affairs) are in Thy hands” (31:15).

Verses 37‑39 of Matthew’s chapter 10 summarize the very real death experienced by all true Christians as they obediently serve and follow the One they love most. These words of the Lord Jesus speak of that genuine separation so beautifully symbolized by Christian baptism but profoundly actualized only by relinquishing all that we hold dear in this life ‑ worldly relations, comforts, security; even oneself: our own personal purposes, plans and preferences, even up to and including the very separation of soul from spirit (see Hebrews 4:12).

Fear Not, You Will Find Work in The Kingdom Of God
The three references to the command, “Fear not” are more widely distributed in the Gospel of Luke.  First to be indicated is: “Fear not; from henceforth, thou shalt catch men” Luke 5:10. The special context surrounding this command should be most encouraging to every Christian disciple. Sitting in Simon Peter’s boat, Jesus had spoken to the crowd assembled along the lakeshore. When He had finished His talk He ordered his men to launch out into the deep to lower their nets for an expected catch. Peter and his companions obeyed Jesus, but did so with great reluctance, deep misgivings and, most likely, fear for their reputations.

These were experienced fishermen. They had worked all night without results. They well knew from years of trial and error that it was a complete waste of time to fish during the daylight hours. Against their better judgment they did what the Lord commanded. The result of their obedience was an astonishingly abundant harvest. Setting aside their own ideas, plans and purposes, these disciples acted out the foundational spiritual truths we earlier referred to in Matthew 10:37‑39. “He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.” It was only a beginning but on that eventful day the newly‑called disciples of Jesus began to die to themselves. They allowed the Word of God (Jesus’ command) to divide asunder the soul (their own good judgment) from the spirit (their intuitive sense of and trust in Divine authority). When our Lord assured Peter and the others that from then on they would become fishers of men “… they forsook all and followed him.” Luke 5:11.

Fear Not, But Believe
A man named Jairus was the leader of his synagogue. When his twelve year old daughter was dying Jairus came to Jesus begging Him to come and heal her. Before reaching his house the ruler received word that the little girl had died. Jesus’ unexpected reaction was, “Fear not, believe only, and she shall be made whole.” Luke 8:50. Jesus rebuked the professional mourners stating that the child was not dead but only sleeping. To unbelievers death is final and, most likely, permanent. In this poignant account, we are given God’s viewpoint on death. Our Lord’s presence and power transcend despair and death. It is left to us to “…believe only.”

Fear Not, God Wants to Bless You
The reference in Luke 12:7 is identical to the situation already treated in Matthew 10:31. In Luke 12:32 our Savior assures us: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Just as many are ignorant of the true nature of death, likewise mention of God’s Kingdom or the Kingdom of Heaven are frequently misunderstood. As one writer has accurately put it: As the word ‘kingdom’ has regard to sovereignty rather than territory, and to the sphere of its exercise rather than to its extent? At the Messiah’s baptism in the Jordan River the Father spoke, the Holy Ghost descended and the heavens were opened. In a very real sense that door to heaven remains ajar all during this glorious, merciful dispensation of grace. The Lord Jesus Christ was the first human to allow God’s Spirit to possess Him fully. The Holy Ghost descended upon Him to guide and assist Him in fulfilling perfectly the will of the Father. The living Lord Jesus was, and still is, God’s Person, in God’s place, doing God’s will to perfection. That total subjection to the sovereignty of God constitutes the kingdom of God. That is why the Lord Jesus alone is the Door (see John 10:7-10). Believers who obey His command to “Follow Me” (see Matt. 9:9 and Jn. 12:26) enter into the salvation security of His sheepfold (the true Church), stand before the presence and operate in the power of the Trinity. These spend their earthly lives preparing to enter the open door of full redemption, attuning themselves to respond to the final summons of the Rapture! (see Rev. 3:8; 4) 

Fear Not, The King Is Coming!
The final “fear not” gospel citation is found in John 12:15. It refers to our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This scripture is the fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9. The New Testament version says: “Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass colt.” Just as we assuredly know that Jesus’ first coming to suffer and to die for us perfectly came to pass, so we can be equally certain of and take great comfort and encouragement in the certainty of this scene from Revelation 19:11-16. 

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
   His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
   And he was clothed in a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,
   And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
   And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”