Pastor Tom Johnson, August 11, 2019
Today Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor and Tender Shepherd. He tells us, “Do not be afraid—fear not little flock for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” But what is fear? It is something we have in common with other creatures. Fear begins in the base of the brain. The amygdala immediately sends out adrenaline and cortisol causing us react—freeze, flight, or fight. The rest of the brain shuts down calling for an immediate bodily response such as freezing in the hope of becoming invisible to a predator, or running away from danger, or pumping blood to give us enough strength to beat away or beat down our enemies.
It is no accident that Jesus compares us to other fearful creatures such as little lambs who frighten easily. And they are right to since they are one of the most defenseless creatures. Sheep are not camouflaged enough to invisibly freeze, not fast enough to outrun a predator, nor strong enough nor do they have sharp enough teeth to adequately fight. When we let fear dictate our actions we are deceiving ourselves. We think that we can meet challenges by our own strength and resources—freeze, flight, fight. But we cannot stay grounded or even think rationally if we let fear get the best of us. Fear is also the abuse of power. When someone wants to motivate us by fear, they are asking us to stop thinking and to begin reacting. It is a form of control and manipulation. That is not the God we love and serve.
Jesus wants us to be free—free from the tyranny of fear. He wants us to be emancipated from anxiety to place our trust in God. Jesus says “it is God the Father’s good pleasure to give us the Kingdom.” That is why Jesus tells us to empty ourselves of our own treasure, self-reliance, and pride. We are his little, defenseless flock. “We are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand” (Ps 95:7), he our Good Shepherd. He says, “Do not be afraid. Do not live in trepidation or in consternation.” Fear is the antithesis of faith. Fearing evil can prevent us from trusting God. Which is greater? What threatens us or he who protects us? As Scripture says “Greater is he who is within us than he who is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4). Jesus invites us to come under the shelter of his care. As our Shepherd, he stands mighty and secure. His rod and staff comfort us. He is skilled with weapons to defend us and tools to guide us. He fills our minds with the reality of who God the Father is. He is not a fear mongering deity. Jesus says it brings God joy to give us the Kingdom. He is delighted to satisfy us body and soul with his heavenly gifts. The thief comes by surprise to take away. The Master comes to give us good gifts. Jesus calls us not to live in dread of our future but in anticipation of the One who comes to give us the Kingdom.
God the Father is so determined that we take possession of the Kingdom that he sent his only Son. The Eternal Son of God takes upon himself our creatureliness. The Good Shepherd becomes the Lamb who gives himself and his life for the life of the world. That is why Jesus tells us to not to fear. Do not give yourself over the paralyzing fear but into the hands of the assuring Shepherd. Do not get carried away by anxiety but swept off your feet by the Master. Do not fight your own battles but hear the one who says, “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.” “Do not fear, little flock,” Jesus says. We are his little lambs. He leads us to the place where we say, “Yea though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil. His rod and staff, they comfort me.” Fear melts away. Trust grows. He is the Master who comes at an unexpected hour. When he comes, he comes not to be served or demand of us, but to serve us (Mark 10:45). He has us sit down to eat as his guests. Our readiness is faith and trust that he is faithful. We are now poised to receive the Kingdom. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps 23). The Table is spread. He gives us the assurance that our souls are secure and the Kingdom is ours.
“As true as God’s own Word is true
Not earth nor hell’s satanic crew
Against us shall prevail.
Their might? A joke, a mere facade!
God is with us and we with God
—our vict’ry cannot fail.” (“O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe” LSB 666 v.3)
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