13 July 2019 - more than many sparrows

Today's Readings

(Audio)

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;
rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy
both soul and body in Gehenna.

Almost everything we fear is related to these bodies of ours which are passing away. We fear the different ways we can experience pain, mental, emotional, and physical, all of which are nonetheless, byproducts of bodies under the dominion of death.

Our fear is not often what it should truly be. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (see Proverbs 9:10). It is not meant to be a servile fear. Rather it is the fear of a lover who is so enraptured with the beloved that the very thought of displeasing him or her is unbearable.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery (see Hebrews 2:14-15).

We don't allow ourselves to see our fears and anxieties for what they are. We don't want to realize they are the fear of death. We want them to be something greater and more important actually deserving of the emotional investment we make in them. We are trapped and on some level wish to remain so.

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Jesus wants us to see our fears for what they are so that he can deliver us. He does not want us to be bound to bodies that are passing away as captains going down with sinking ships. Our bodies will pass away. So will all the goods of this world which we try to protect. Jesus wants our spirits free to care about the kingdom and to seek it first.

We tend to be much like Joseph's brothers, always afraid, because we don't trust.

"Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us
and now plans to pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!"

But the brothers fear is misplaced. Joseph seeks God first and so he himself is able to rise above the extreme difficulties of his life to forgive his brothers, even, apparently, to love them.

When they spoke these words to him, Joseph broke into tears.

How much more ought we to trust in God than these brothers ought to trust in Joseph. God himself is the one who makes all things work together for the good of those who love him, those who are called according to his purpose.

Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.