A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

DO NOT BE AFRAID – Part II     

Matthew 10:28-31 “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 hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” 

4,476 was the most conservative estimate I was able to find as to how many Christians were put to death in 2024 because of their faith in Jesus Christ. That same article stated that another 4,744 were imprisoned and over 7,670 churches and Christian properties were attacked. Persecution of Christians occurs around the world. Some is severe, including death. Others are imprisoned. As a recent devotion mentioned, today legislation is being passed in various countries the restrict what a church/pastor can teach.   

Jesus was aware that Christian persecution would happen. He was the first to be put to death, in part because of the message He proclaimed. Stephan was the first disciple to be put to death because of his message to the Jewish leaders. All of Jesus’ Apostle’s were executed because of their proclamation of the Gospel, except John.   

In today’s opening devotional verse, Jesus said, “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 hell.” St. Paul, imprisoned because of His Gospel preaching, wrote from his imprisonment in either Rome or Ephesus to the Philippian Christians, “ I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20-21)  With the current tensions that exist between church and state, educators and God’s word, neighbor to neighbor disagreements regarding religious beliefs, the threat against your personal Christian freedom and even physical safety is a growing concern. At the end of Jesus’ words, in the face of these concerns reminds you that you and your life is in God’s hands. Most important, no one through any type of persecution can take away the faith the Holy Spirit has given you in God’s Son and through Him in Your heavenly Father. You live with His promise to you, “Be faithful even unto death and I will give you the crown of everlasting life.” (Revelation 2:10) 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, keep me steadfast in the faith You worked into my heart at my Baptism and maintain everyday by its power. Amen. 

Oh, for a faith that will not shrink   
Tho’ pressed by many-a foe;  
That will not tremble on the brink   
Of poverty or woe; 

That will not murmur nor complain   
Beneath the chast’ning rod,  
But in the hour of grief or pain   
Can lean upon its God; 

A faith that shines more bright and clear   
When tempests rage without;  
That, when in danger, knows no fear,   
In darkness feels no doubt; 

That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown  
Nor heeds its scornful smile;  
That sin’s wild ocean cannot drown  
Nor Satan’s arts beguile; 

A faith that keeps the narrow way  
‘Till life’s last spark is fled  
And with a pure and heavenly ray  
Lights up the dying bed. 

Lord, give us such a faith as this; 
 And then, whate’er may come,  
We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss   
Of an eternal home.  

Oh, for a Faith That Will Not Shrink // TLH 396