28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”

Reprising His earlier teaching concerning God’s care for the disciples as compared to His care for birds (Matt 6:26), Jesus soothes the anxiety that naturally arises in the face of their formidable task of witnessing. The prospect of going without Jesus was daunting. On one level, they had seen some opposition Jesus had endured. In the context of that time, it was a dangerous thing to incur the anger of the religious establishment, who had the power to excommunicate people from the worship of Israel. Jesus was quite bold in taking them on, for He knew who He was and was certain of His relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The disciples were becoming enlightened about both of these truths, but that didn’t immediately translate into their own boldness. Thus, Jesus knew their need for encouragement.

On another level, they had not yet seen the full extent of persecution. Jesus’ own torture and death were still future and the disciples little realized their commitment to witness for Him would lead to their own physical persecution as well. Historians tell us that ten of them did, in fact, experience martyrdom (John died in old age while in exile on the island of Patmos, Judas committed suicide). Discipleship is not for the fainthearted!

Jesus’ training of the disciples at this juncture points toward a fatal level of persecution, which could discourage. But He lifts them to a higher perspective. The real fear is not physical death or those who can cause it. Rather the greater issue is spiritual death in hell. Some commentators today think this refers to Satan, but the better understanding is that God is the One who destroys “both soul and body in hell.” He was the One who prepared hell for Satan and his followers (Matt 25:41); those who reject Christ will join them there forever.

When others reject the message of the disciples, they are the ones who need to fear. As for the disciples, fear is unfounded, they are Jesus’ personally chosen men. If God takes care of sparrows, He will certainly take care of these men who have sacrificed all to follow Him. Even if torture or death is their destiny here on earth, God’s care extends into heaven for eternity.

Lord, thank You for Your encouragement to look for my security not in this earthly realm, but in the extended dimension of heaven.