Fear Not Little Flock

In last week’s blog I wrote that Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). He was determined to finish his course; to be the full and final sacrifice for the sins of the world. He embraced his Father’s will and His Father’s love to save sinners. On his way to Jerusalem Christ made a stunning statement. “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32).”

What fear is Jesus Christ trying to banish from our hearts? The Lord is trying to cancel out our fear that God is not the kind of God who really wants to be good to us. There are times in our lives when we feel that God really does not want to be gracious to us; that He does not want to be generous and kind. Sometimes even when we know that God is good we still feel that He is angry with us or that His arm has to be twisted before He will meet our needs.

The context in which verse 32 is set is all about worry and fear: “do not worry about your life…which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature…why are you anxious? (22, 25, 26).” Most of us are good at worrying. In fact we could probably earn a doctorate degree in the subject! But Jesus wants us to know that God, our Father, does not begrudge being good to us. He knows all that we need and He desires to meet our needs. We can cast all our cares upon Him because He truly cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). That’s what the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is all about.

The Bible tells us “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16, 17).” Scripture asks the question, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31, 32).”

God gave up His only begotten Son to be the sacrifice for our sins, because it is our “Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It is God’s delight to forgive us; it is His pleasure to grant us everlasting life. God chose to save us through Jesus Christ gladly, purposefully; it wasn’t an accident or second thought! God is not acting in this gracious way to hide an evil motive. He is good and kind. Psalm 145:9 declares, “The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works (Psalm 145:9).”

Mediate on this grand truth this week: God wants to be good to you with all of His heart. Let Him! Let Him save you from the power and penalty of sin. Let Him fill your heart with joy. Jesus Christ “steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” because “it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Fear not!